Could Paulo Bernardo be a vital figure for Celtic heading into the new season? Martin O’Neill has overlooked the Portuguese midfielder previously but that could be about to change…
Paulo Bernardo cut something of a forlorn figure last campaign, as he was consistently overlooked by Brendan Rodgers, Wilfried Nancy and Martin O’Neill, and in my opinion unfairly so.
The Portuguese midfielder has that calmness and dig that’s been missing from our midfield, and it’s a mystery why his talents haven’t been utilised to our advantage, especially in a campaign where the team clearly needed an injection of creativity and assurance in the middle of the park.
Bernardo performed well at Ibrox in Scottish Cup win
A perfect example of Paulo’s ability, was his appearance in the Scottish Cup quarter final penalty shootout win over the Rangers back in March, when came on and added some quality to our static and tiring midfield.
A heavily depleted Celtic side were well under the cosh, and Paulo was introduced to the pressure filled game at the home of our bitter rivals, and he put in a spirited and disciplined performance which went a long way to achieving our goal of winning the tie.
Paulo on translating duties for Camilo Duran
Paulo Bernardo has also been said to have been translating for new signing Camilo Duran, so his influence to the side can stretch way beyond his ability on the park.
The former Portuguese under 21 skipper is a player of great ability, something he’s shown in his nigh on three years as a Celtic player, he just needs to start showing it on a consistent basis.
Some injuries issues has stalled his progress at Celtic
To be fair to the former Benfica man, he’s been denied that opportunity to do so. He has also had spells on the sidelines through injury a factor that has frustrated his intention to become a mainstay performer for Celtic.
There may be some reason for optimism as far as the Portuguese midfielder is concerned. If one man can build up his confidence it’s Martin O’Neill, who possess that Midas touch when it comes to improving a player’s confidence and thereafter their performance levels.
Bernardo has shown it in derby games, and big European nights that he’s got something about him, he deserves that chance to shine on a regular basis, maybe he deserves that chance in the upcoming campaign?
Martin O’Neill overlooked Bernardo last season
It’s strange that Martin O’Neill didn’t utilise Paulo Bernardo more in his two interim spells at the club but no one could argue with the outcome from a Celtic perspective anyway. Now with Paulo being one of the early arrivals for pre-season the Celtic manager has had more time to appreciate the reasons why Paulo was Portugal’s u21 captain.
Hopefully he gets his chance this season and will several of our regular starting midfielders linked with moves away this summer, Paulo Bernardo could become the mainstay performer that he’s targeted for a few seasons now.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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1 Comment
Was expecting a big season from Paulo last season?
Yet it never happened whatsoever.
Was always the odd man out, even with 7 midfielders, and 6 named within a 20man SPFL match day squad?
With those 7 midfielder options still in place, then very hard to see, how Paulo is even going to climb that ladder, within MoN selection process imo?
Hatate has already made it known that he wants to move on. Plenty of rumours surrounding both Engels and Nygren also?
Not even 100% regarding Calmac either?
So only know for certain that the OX and McCowan will be in place as possible midfielders within our 25man European squad?
We should be in a far better position than that, especially if MoN is looking at keeping 3 midfielders, within our starting team?
Still believe that we need to add a proper defensive midfielder to our squad?
Paulo may well be kept, but we need far more, than players filling squad positions, and providing nothing in a playing capacity with our team?
Haven’t a clue as to why the drop off in Paulo has been so huge? Especially as I thought he could have had a decent career with ourselves? But it hasn’t happened, despite a very promising first season with ourselves, and happy enough when he became a permanent signing?
Still looking like a surplus to requirements, which is very disappointing at present imo?