Signed on loan from Benfica in the summer, midfielder Paulo Bernardo has made a notable impact at Celtic. Currently, it seems as though his place in the engine room is his to lose amid David Turnbull’s departure and Reo Hatate’s injury.
Bernardo is a tricky player, who has good feet and technical ability. He can also strike a ball well given his opener in December’s Glasgow derby.
The match after this, he provided two assists away at St. Mirren in another wonderful display. Post-winter break, his form hasn’t returned to those heights but he has remained effective in the middle of the park.
Questions have already been raised over whether he will be signed permanently because, just like Jota a few years ago, Celtic possess an option to the Portugal under-21 internationalist upon the expiration of his loan from Benfica.
The club’s gaffer, Roger Schmidt, said that he can join Celtic permanently if it is his wish. Recently, the player himself spoke out.
Bernardo admitted he hasn’t had contact with Schmidt as of yet, but that he feels as though he is doing well at Celtic: “I haven’t spoken to the Benfica manager yet”, he said (Football Scotland).
“My focus is here on Celtic. After that I can talk to everyone and then decide what happens next.
“I feel I’m improving a lot here. I didn’t get many minutes in the first team at Benfica, so I am developing here more. All of my focus is on the now.”
His loan spell didn’t start in the greatest manner, the 22-year-old being limited predominantly to substitute appearances and Champions League games.
Amid injury and the thinning of the squad, though, he has established himself as a regular. Calls to sign him permanently are a testament to Bernardo’s performances and improvements.
