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Fullname: Paulo Guilherme Gonçalves Bernardo
aka: Paulo Bernardo
Born: 24 January 2002
Birthplace: Almada, Portugal
Signed: 1 September 2023 (on loan 2023/24 from Benfica with option to convert to perm); 1 August 2024 (est £3.5m + addons from Benfica)
Left: 31 May 2023 (end of loan); –
Position: Central Midfielder
Debut: Celtic 3-0 Dundee, SP, 16 Sep 2023
Squad No.: 28
Internationals: […]
International Caps: [TBC at end of career]
International Goals: [TBC at end of career]
Biog
Initial loan season 2023/24
“The fans are unbelievable and they like me, so I am feeling good too. I just have to keep going and doing things well.”
Paulo Bernardo (Jan 2024)
The young 21 year old Paulo Bernardo arrived at Celtic on loan mostly under the radar, and seemed to keep that unwanted tag as he was to become more a squad player than a regular through much of this 2023/24 season. Reportedly once deemed a highly rated prospect in the game, he was tagged by his Benfica manager as one of the “future stars of the club” when he first came into the game.
His statistics appeared to put him in a good light, with proponents rating him as a potential athletic Turnbull like midfielder. In practise, he struggled to win a regular first team place in a Celtic squad with a lot of competition. He was skillful, decent when out of possession and also on the ball, but he didn’t show often what he could bring to the first team in terms of creative passing and the like. Possibly he was more workmanlike. Decent technique, energy, physicality and some neat passing at times. A lot of development was needed.
He was given the nod to start some notable matches, with some cynics guessing that it was a contractual obligation to play him in those European matches. Then again maybe the manager felt Bernardo was better suited to the games in Europe compared to his peers, but more was needed domestically else the game might run away from him.
He amazed many watching that he didn’t get sent off quick in the Champions League match v Lazio away after a handful of rash challenges early on. He didn’t make a difference in what was another poor defeat for Celtic. It was likely that he was maybe trying too hard to impress that day and so consequently actually made it worse for himself.
He finally made a bit of name for himself after scoring the opener in a tougher than it seems 3-0 league win v Dundee (Dec 2023). It was a bit of a fortuitous goal, but Bernardo’s tenacity and commitment on the day was deserving of credit for that moment.
A key moment for him was in the crucial 2-1 game v TheRangers at the turn of the year (Dec 2023), in which he scored a belter for the opener and set the pace for the rest of the match. He had a great match, and finally he was showing the value he could provide in a match with his energy levels, and good running on & off the ball.
However, that period turned out to be only a brief purple patch during that whole season for him. He reverted to his mostly anonymous role in the side, and in time the manager simply benched him. Once Celtic finally began to turn the corner and players returned from injury, Bernardo was very much relegated in the pecking order for a first team place with even other criticised players like Yang getting more opportunities. In fairness, the manager did have some faith and did play Bernardo often enough, mostly from the bench, but clearly faith in him had been lost.
What he needed most was really just that one moment that would elevate him so highly that it would effectively sweep away all the concerns over his past form…
….and that moment seems to have occurred in the most unexpected settings. Celtic were facing TheRangers for the first time ever in a Scottish Cup final after a tumultuous season that saw Celtic finally overcome the Glasgow derby rivals in the league campaign only a week earlier. Both sides were going for a silverware double, but ended up playing out a mostly sterile cautious match in which there was little spark, with physicality from Sevco often outstripping any skill. Most of the key Celtic players were underpar on the day, most notably Hatate and O’Reilly.
Bernardo was quietly subbed late on with little expected, only for him to take the bull by it horns at the death of the game. When given the ball at the half-way line he drove down the pitch staying on his feet after riding a tough tackle to then take a low, hard & awkward shot which the opposition goalkeeper spilled for Idah to take advantage, score and send Celtic into raptures. A brilliant moment and won Celtic the cup. All the main attention may have been on Idah, but really it was Bernardo who created the goal and deserved the honours.
It helped turn certain opinions on Bernardo, and demonstrated that he had potential for going forward. He was what was needed at this point in this cup final, and the question was if Rodgers was willing to take the gamble with him going forward. Bernardo also had to start making his mark consistently across matches and not just turn up in various tentpole matches.
Rodgers had spoken honestly on the player and his respect for the player. Celtic captain Callum McGregor even called for him to be taken on permanently:
“Listen, he has been an important player for us – he has [great] technical quality and is a young kid who wants to do well. So that is the type of profile we want at the club. Hopefully we can bring him back. He is a great lad as well. He works ever so hard and he is a part of the group we have got. Obviously the club will decide in terms of what happens there, but that is certainly the profile that we want. You want hungry players who are technically good and can come and make an impact as well.”
Callum McGregor (June 2024)
[….]
Quotes
“[Midfield is] one of the areas I want to improve in the team. What we have is, we’ve David, whose strengths – with the greatest of respects – are to play against low blocks when we’re trying to nick a goal. Getting around the pitch is maybe not a strength. When you go into Champions League games you need that ability to run. So, then Paolo [Bernardo] has played in those games. It’s finding that sort of complete package, really. Callum has played in that deeper role for a few years but [moving him forward] is something I’ve thought about. Tomo would’ve played in Lazio if he was available, but sadly he missed out [through not being on the UEFA squad list].”
Rodgers (Dec 2023)
“He’s such a mature player for a young player. He’s always had a great attitude at training.”
Brendan Rodgers (Dec 2023)
“The fans are unbelievable and they like me, so I am feeling good too. I just have to keep going and doing things well.”
Paulo Bernardo (Jan 2024)
“Listen, he has been an important player for us – he has [great] technical quality and is a young kid who wants to do well. So that is the type of profile we want at the club. Hopefully we can bring him back. He is a great lad as well. He works ever so hard and he is a part of the group we have got. Obviously the club will decide in terms of what happens there, but that is certainly the profile that we want. You want hungry players who are technically good and can come and make an impact as well.”
Callum McGregor (June 2024)
[….]
Playing Career
[Table to indicate clubs played for, including dates, transfers and fees where known [e.g. soccerbase table]]
| APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2023-24 | 22 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 33 |
| Goals | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2024-25 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Total | |||||
| Goals |
Honours with Celtic
(Honours are marked below in which the player has played in at least one of the matches in the campaign.)
Scottish League
Scottish Cup
Scottish League Cup
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Articles
Paulo Bernardo joins from Benfica on season-long loan
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2023/september/01/paulo-bernardo-joins-from-benfica-on-season-long-loan/
First Team By Celtic Football Club
01 Sep 2023, 8:55 pm
Paulo Bernardo has become the latest addition to Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic squad, with the Portuguese midfielder having joined from Benfica on a season-long loan with an option to buy. The move is subject to international clearance.
The highly-rated 21-year-old, who has represented his country at Under-21 level, is a graduate of Benfica’s youth system, and made his first-team debut in a UEFA Champions League group-stage game against Bayern Munich.
He has gone on to make 23 appearances for Benfica, while he spent the second half of last season on loan at Portuguese side, Pacos Ferreira.
Paulo Bernardo said: “I’m very excited to be here. It’s a great club and I’m ready to be on the pitch and to help the team.
‘Our ambition is to be champions and perform very well in the group stages of the Champions League and go as far as we can.’
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: “Paulo is a young player who come in with the opportunity to give us more strength in depth in that midfield area.
“He’s already gained first-team experience at a top-class club in Benfica, which is something he will bring to Celtic, and we’re looking forward to working with him over the course of this season
Paulo Bernardo: I’m ready to perform for Celtic
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2023/september/01/paulo-bernardo–i-m-ready-to-perform-for-celtic/
First Team
By Ryan Maher
Share
01 Sep 2023, 9:25 pm
Paulo Bernardo is straight in the door and is ready to get right down to business.
The Portugal Under-21 international midfielder has signed a season-long loan with an option to buy from Primeira Liga giants Benfica.
The 21-year-old arrives with Champions League experience, featuring in their run to the quarter-finals in 2022 and playing away to Bayern Munich, Ajax and Liverpool.
Bernardo can’t wait to experience Europe’s elite competition once again at Paradise and is excited to pull on the green and white hoops for the first time.
Speaking exclusively to Celtic TV, he said: “I’m very excited to be here. It’s a great club and I’m ready to be on the pitch and to help the team.
“I always grew up with Celtic in the big competitions in the Champions League and most of the time as champions here in Scotland.
‘I have always seen Celtic as a big and a great club.’
“The Champions League is a great competition and I’m ready for it.
“Our ambition is to be champions and perform very well in the group stages of the Champions League and go as far as we can.”
Spending the second-half of last season on loan at Pacos de Ferreira, scoring twice in 13 appearances, Bernardo now arrives in Glasgow hoping to showcase his attacking flair in the Hoops.
He added: “I’m more of an attacking midfielder and I like to be near the area to score goals and make great passes.
“The manager explained to me a little bit about Celtic and he asked me if I’m ready to be part of the team. It was really nice and I’m read
James McFadden delivers Paulo Bernardo verdict as Celtic suffer Champions League defeat at Lazio
https://www.67hailhail.com/match/james-mcfadden-delivers-paulo-bernardo-verdict-as-celtic-suffer-champions-league-defeat-at-lazio/
Wed 29 November 2023 16:30
Amir Mir
The selection and performance of Paulo Bernardo during Celtic’s 2-0 defeat to Lazio in the UEFA Champions League was a big talking point for James McFadden.
Before the must-win game for Brendan Rodgers’ side could kick-off, he expressed his ‘big surprise’ at Paulo Bernardo starting.
Now, Celtic are light in numbers across the pitch, especially with the injury to Reo Hatate, so if he was fit, then he starts instead.
Either way, James McFadden felt that Celtic’s on-loan star couldn’t get going and stated that he ‘barely touched the ball’ in Lazio’s final third, as he told Sportsound.
It was a pretty dull first half, from both sides, nothing much was happening, with the duo playing it fairly safe.
But at the start of the second half, the Bhoys tried to put their foot down, as Kyogo Furuhashi missed a very good chance that whistled past the post early in the second half.
That’s when Ciro Immobile was introduced into the action and he blew Celtic away with a brace – Alan Brazil slammed the player’s actions.
Nonetheless, this is what James McFadden had to say about Paulo Bernardo before and during the game.
“Bernardo is probably the biggest surprise for me,” said McFaddenon his selection before the game. “I am not sure yet. I don’t really see what he is.”
And then throughout the game, McFadden shared his thoughts on Bernardo’s performance:
“He didn’t have a great deal of options. He had Kyogo making that run, but because of Lazio’s pressure. Celtic have brought everyone back defending and Bernardo doesn’t have any other option. He is trying to free himself up, but in the end, he ends up with three men around him.
“You are speaking about how they need to get Forrest, Yang and Kyogo into the game, they absolutely do.
“But, in order to do that. They have to find Bernardo and O’Riley. They have barely touched the ball in and around Lazio’s box. They are the key players who will draw defenders out of position.
“Bernardo almost hesitates, he should be going with real urgency.
“It’s an easy pass for someone to play and he gets it wrong. Wasted opportunity.”
SS Lazio v Celtic FC: Group E – UEFA Champions League 2023/24
Photo by Domenico Cippitelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Paulo Bernardo doesn’t impress
At 21, there still has to be patience with the player, but he didn’t do enough to get his forward players in the game.
Playing in midfield, away from home in Europe, isn’t easy, but he was just too safe during the match.
The stats don’t make good reading. Footmob handed him a 6.6 rating, with 35 touches during the game and zero in Lazio’s penalty box – he was subbed with 20 minutes left for Hyeongyu Oh.
To put that into context, Mikey Johnston, who came on after the hour mark, had 23 touches.
The issue with Bernardo is that he needs to come to life, push further forward, and take those risks because he wasn’t doing that in Rome.
Reo Hatate has that swagger to his game, Matt O’Riley is always involved in the final third, whilst Callum McGregor is the controller and reliable figure.
Celtic fans are yet to see what Bernardo is all about.
‘Listen, he’s not shy in working hard’:
Celtic have no concerns over Reo Hatate’s likely replacement
The lingering embrace Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers gave midfielder Reo Hatate as he trudged out of Wednesday’s Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid just six minutes in suggested that the Japanese’s hamstring injury could be a bad one.
Mark Atkinson
By Mark Atkinson
Published 27th Oct 2023, 22:30 BST
Hatate has only just got back to his peak form and fitness so it is a blow for both Celtic and the player that he could miss the rest of the year through injury. Rodgers confirmed on Friday that the 25-year-old is sidelined for a number of weeks and the likelihood is that he won’t be fully up to speed until the start of 2024.
Paulo Bernardo, the midfielder on loan from Benfica, is the prime candidate to replace Hatate in this Celtic team. David Turnbull appears to have fallen down the pecking order following a strong start to life under Rodgers and the Portuguese was preferred to Tomoki Iwata as Hatate’s substitute against Atletico. The 21-year-old has yet to start for Celtic but Rodgers is expected to call upon him against Hibs on Saturday afternoon at Easter Road.
His captain Callum McGregor was impressed by Bernardo’s performance against the La Liga giants. “He showed his discipline,” said McGregor. “He’s looked after himself, to come in and be game-ready as well. It’s different when you’re training. He came in and was at that level throughout the game. He ran his socks off, showed really good moments of quality and fitted into the team really seamlessly. He can be happy with his night. It shows you the strength we’ve got in the squad.”
Paulo Bernardo impressed for Celtic during the match against Atletico.
Paulo Bernardo impressed for Celtic during the match against Atletico.
Celtic fans would be forgiven for wondering what type of player Bernardo is but McGregor gave a good resume on his team-mate. “He’s technical, as you would imagine, coming from abroad. He wants to be on the ball, he wants to make things happen. You can see that from the little glimpses he had against Atletico. And listen, he’s not shy in working hard and I think in our team – and in modern-day football – you have to be able to run, and press, and do the other side of the game as well.”
Hibs are the last team to defeat Celtic on Premiership duty, albeit their 4-2 triumph in May was recorded after the Glasgow side had snared the title. McGregor is well-versed on switching between European and domestic commitments and knows taking care of the team’s “bread and butter” is required in Edinburgh.
“We put a lot of energy into the game against Atletico,” continued McGregor. “Big emotion, the stadium, all these things, so you’ve just got to recover. The next two days will be barely anything – we prep the game against Hibs, get through to Edinburgh and get our feet up, and the mental challenge is can we go again. We have to go there and win, because if you want nights like Atletico, you have to win the league. That’s the bread and butter for this group and we’ll be ready. It’s part of the job – you’ve got to do it, if you want to win things you’ve got to switch your mentality on.”
Celtic announce Paulo Bernardo’s return to Paradise in a 5-year deal
By Peter Brown 1 August, 2024 No Comments
[Celtic announce Paulo Bernardo’s return to Paradise in a 5-year deal]
Celtic v Buckie Thistle – Celtic’s Paulo Bernardo celebrates scoring the opening goal of the game during the Scottish Cup match at Celtic Park on Sunday January 21, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan
Celtic announce Paulo Bernardo’s return to Paradise in a 5-year deal
Following a nervy Summer of transfer news, it has finally been announced that Paulo Bernardo will be making the return trip back to Paradise on a permanent transfer.
Bernardo initially joined the Hoops on a loan deal from Benfica in the Summer of 2023. Although Bernardo’s role last season wasn’t as large as others in the squad, he still managed to make 33 appearances, and bag 4 goals and 3 assists. Bernardo was also able to step up in several crucial moments for the Bhoys, notably the Scottish Cup final at the end of last season, where his aggressive drive down the pitch, and subsequent shot at goal, allowed Adam Idah to net the winner and secure the Scottish Cup for the Hoops. So, it seems Bernardo did enough last season to convince Brendan Rodgers to bring about his return to Glasgow on a permanent basis.