Paulo Bernardo

Don’t think anyone thought he’d start.

Be on the bench, definitely.

 

Its what I would have imagined. Should be fine it terms of pre-season fitness but I wonder how much game time he saw with Benfica in their pre-season games so starting on the bench I would think this weekend.

 

Like a new signing….

(or so PL would like you to think)

 

Paulo did not play in our pre-season games.

 

Figured as much or something close to. So while Bernardo should be fit in terms of having done the training he is going to need time to get his match sharpness.

 

Probably needs match sharpness but as he was training with Portugal u21s he's probably remained fairly fit.

 

Fitness wise he'll be fine, he won't start because he's not one of our strongest 3 midfielders.. I'm sure we'll see him at some stage

 

He's not played in any of their friendlies. He won't be match fit

 

Wouldn't mind that, sure how many minutes did he play for us in the last 6 months of the league.. young lad, he'll be grand.. if we are winning by a couple I've no doubt we will see him. I'd imagine a benfica preseason is no joke

 

Hopefully he can get a good 20-30 minutes this weekend to help get him up to speed with his match sharpness. Think he will prove to be a good signing for us as I really see him being the type of player who will flourish and grow under Brandan Rodgers.

 

Paulo Bernardo is targeting personal progress and team success after making a return to Celtic and believes ‘the sky is the limit’ for what can be achieved.

Bernardo enjoyed his spell in Glasgow on loan from Benfica last season, when he helped the side to a league and cup double.

The midfielder agreed a permanent return earlier this month, signing a five-year contract after the clubs settled on a fee for the 22-year-old.

Bernardo said he had always been hopeful he would be back with the Premiership winners, though he had to be patient for the move to be finalised. Now he is looking to the future and when asked how the team could progress, he was more than just optimistic about Celtic’s potential.

“The sky’s the limit,” he said. “Last year we were improving all through the season.

“It will be a continuing work this year and we are focused.”


After securing the first trophies of his career, and making a big contribution to the success Brendan Rodgers’ team enjoyed, he has personal targets and is embracing the challenge of winning a starting place.

“I want to be champions again,” Bernardo said. “We have three domestic titles to win and I look forward to that and to having a good season in Europe.

“Personally, I want this season to be better than the last. Last season was good for me but I want to improve and I know that it will be a better season for me.

“I need to work [to be a regular starter] but it’s better that way. I feel motivated to win my place and I think that’s good for me.”

And after enjoying working with Rodgers over the last year, he hopes to continue that development and plans to put in the work to continue to improve.

“I like working with the manager a lot,” he added. “I’m really happy with him and the whole staff. Last season they helped me to develop my game and be better every day.


I’m really happy and it was a factor that was in my mind.

“I see this as an opportunity and a big step in my career. I will work hard for this.”

 

Poster on HB saying Hatate limped out o training today so I hope Paulo is a bit fitter for this weekend

 

Kyogo limps after every game.. I'm taking that as it's just a Japanese sign of working hard and he will be fine

 

Certainly has a great attitude and seems very coachable. Once again Rodgers man management skills seem to be to the fore as well both in terms of Bernardo wanting to come here but also in getting the best out of Bernardo. I think he will prove to be a good signing for us.

 

Paulo Bernardo insists he can be the man to fill Matt O'Riley's boots at Celtic.

The Portuguese star is determined to make a major impact having completed his £3.5million permanent switch from Benfica, insisting the sky’s the limit. Bernardo grew through his loan spell last term and now he wants to be a leader within the squad and give back-up to skipper Callum McGregor – whether O’Riley stays or not amid interest from England and abroad. He said: “I don’t know what will happen. I’m here to do my job and if he stays or not I want to take the place, that’s it. I feel I will work for sure and get my opportunities too


Rodgers elevated O’Riley’s game after arriving before the start of last season and Bernardo said: “That’s my goal, to level up the numbers and all the players want that. I feel the sky’s the limit, I always live that way

Bernardo is determined to be a figurehead in the Celtic dressing room and added: “My manager in Portugal says that every player has to be a captain and the armband is only like a representative for the team.

I have this leadership in me. Every player has to be a captain. Callum is a great captain and for me he’s the best leader that I’ve had before.

"But he can call for more players to do that, to help him. I got to be a captain in the 21s from Portugal so it was really nice to be in that position. Now that I have come back, I know my team-mates well now. I can improve myself, too.”


Bernardo is also hoping that his permanent move to Celtic will open the door for him to burst into the senior Portugal squad. The playmaker has been a skipper for the Under-21 side and now wants to step up and reach the levels of senior stars such as Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes

Bernardo said: “Portugal has a lot of players and a lot of quality in the midfield and in other positions. It will not be easy to go for the national team. AndI have to show first here and then the things will happen naturally.

“I’m not in a rush, I have time and I need to work hard to get these opportunities to come. We have guys like Bruno Fernandes and that’s what I’m going to aim for.

 

Great attitude, classy player. He’s gonna have a quality season for us. If a bid has been accepted for O’Riley which seems is the case I’d like to see bernardo start the weekend

 

15 mins. Should have had an assist if our team could finish glad we signed him.