Paulo Bernardo

He should have started at ibrox imo

 

You’ve not watched Bernardo.

In the league…
Ground Duels Per Game:

Bernardo - 13.82
Maeda - 11.61
O’Riley - 9.43
Iwata - 7.5
McGregor - 6.63

That’s just the tip of the iceberg in terms of defensive stats.

In the CL he was in the 90th percentile for his defensive stats like ground duels won, interceptions. He worked his * off in every game he played.

He doesn’t get close to Maeda in terms of ground covered, nobody does. But he’s the best we’ve got.

Iwata doesn’t get near either in terms of workrate. He commands a certain area and can read the game.

 

Begs the question why we haven't played him in the 6

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Because he’s a guy that defends on the front foot

 

He doesn’t sit in and do what Iwata does. He’s all over the pitch and good driving forward or linking up play at the same time. If he was our 6 we’d be exposed. Having a top 6 would allow him to flourish though.

 

Iwata isn’t remotely an industrious midfielder.

 

If that true, it's really impressive and underrated stats for Bernardo.

 

I’d well believe it tbh, he’s so good at pressing teams high up the pitch I think sometimes it just doesn’t stand out as much because of his lack of pace whereas when you see maeda press high it’s more noticeable. I remember his first CL performance for us he was exceptional at pressing and getting little interceptions etc

 

Definitely true from watching him in the CL. He was unreal at it, all over the park hassling constantly.

 

Who would have you started him instead off?

Iwata - Bernardo isn’t a 6 so asking him to play there would have been unfair.

O’Riley - had a good game took the penalty and was unlucky with the header.

Hatate - was one of, if not our best players first half. Looked a constant threat, progressed the ball well, was unlucky with one of his shots.

I do believe he should have been the change for Hatate over an unfit McGregor right enough.

 

Agree with this, but at one point did Ange not play O'Riley as a 6 and he was OK? That might have worked.

I wanted Iwata to start so just pointing something out not saying it should have happened.

 

Would really like to see a big improvement in the run in from him. Has good touch and can pick a pass but a little one paced. Had a wee run of games where he looked like he was going to step up but that just fizzled out. With Hatate back he is now a back up. Not worth £6m and think there would be better options.

 

As has been said already. Far better options out there for around the £6m mark. The problem is, we don’t have a recruitment team that is even remotely competent and I’m not even sure we have a transfer strategy. Seems we just go off agents, manager recommendations and certain scouts in certain countries.

I’m still not convinced we should pay that sort of money for him but he’s at least competent and can show he can chip in. I just think, at £6m, he’s the O’Riley replacement and that’s a scary thought.

 

That celtic by numbers page on twitter had stats on him v athletico and he had something like highest amount of pressures or recoveries, thaf he had ever recorded for one of our players.
It wasn't something that immediate stood out at the game but he's one of those players who does a lot off the ball. If he's going to replace Oriley next year he's gonna need to do more with the ball tho but I do think the ability is there.

 

Yeah I get that O’Rileys numbers this season are great but in fairness bernardo has been more of a bit-part player due to our starting cm’s and the fact he’s a loan player I think.wheras O’Riley didn’t start off his Celtic career with those numbers even though he still had them good first time through balls in his locker so I think if bernardo replaces O’Riley he will be seeing a lot more game time and we will see him develop more/build better partnerships with the team etc. I think he’s class tbh and would really like us to sign him

 

Yeah, I also think he may shine more out of Orileys shadow amd take on more of the attacking responsibility.
He's mainly played the more traditional number 8 role that Hatate plays whereas o'riley is kinda a hybrid 8/10. Would be interesting to see Bernardo in that role with Hatate or Mcgregor in the 8 role.

 

Thought he played well when he came on. Little bits of quality like putting Forrest (?) in with the wee scooped ball.

He and Iwata gave us more than McGregor and Hatate.

 

Played well when he came on..

 

Did well and worked hard as he always does, but my nerves when he hit that penalty....

 

Would start him ahead of O’Reilly, looks on it every time he plays just now.