Paulo Bernardo

I'd be tempted to sell him in the summer..

Think we could get better in terms of goal/assist contributions and consistency..

 

Midfielder, Paulo Bernardo is back in the running for a place in the squad as Celtic return to SPFL action this Saturday, with Hearts visiting the East End of Glasgow.

He hasn’t played since the 5-0 Scottish Cup win over Raith Rovers in early February when he had to depart in the 37th minute after an ankle injury cut short his participation in the game.

Up until then, the 23-year-old had played a part in no fewer than 36 of Celtic’s 39 games in all competitions, missing only the league opener against Kilmarnock in August, and wins over St Mirren and Ross County in January.

He’s been out for the eight games played since then but he’s delighted to be back in the frame again. Speaking ahead of the Hearts visit, he said: “It’s been all good.

‘I can play football again, so I’m really excited for the weeks that are coming.’

“The injury was bad, but I recovered very well and hopefully I can play from now on.”

Initially, it was hoped that it would be a short-term injury, but a scan quickly revealed the true extent of the damage.

The Celt said: “It was bad when I saw the results of the scan, because I also thought it was a short-term injury.

“But I’ve had the opportunity to recover well and to work on other things that I couldn’t do during the season.

“So it was a good time to recover and to do other things.”



That Raith Rovers match was only the third game back in the Hoops for Bernardo’s fellow Portuguese Celt, Jota, since the winger’s January return, so that’s a partnership the midfielder is keen to resurrect.

He laughed: “I’m looking forward to playing with everyone, but it’s nice to have Jota here with me.

“I speak a lot with him, so I think we are a good double too.

“I just spoke with him after he re-signed, not before, but he was really excited to be here again.”

Two of those aforementioned 36 games for Bernardo were against Saturday’s visitors, with a 2-0 September win at Celtic Park followed by the 4-1 win at Tynecastle in November.

If Bernardo turns out for a third time against Hearts this season, it will be his 70th game in the Hoops, but he’s being realistic about his possible time on the pitch.

And when asked if he’s fit for the weekend, eh said: “I would say yes, but it’s been a while for me outside of the pitch.

“So probably not 90 minutes, but I will try my best to do as best as I can if the coach wants me to play.”

Bernardo also returns after a busy time for the side in a hectic couple of months, both in Europe and domestically for his team-mates, and he added: “I think every player wants to play all the games, and these games are special and games we want to be part of.

“But I tried to support my team-mates from outside, and tried to give them the support they need.”

The Celt finished on a high last season by playing a crucial part in Adam Idah’s last-minute winner in the Scottish Cup final against Rangers at Hampden, and he and his team-mates are determined to have a strong end to this term as well.

"As a team, we still have some goals to achieve, and we will try our best to do that as soon as possible." he explained.

‘And for me, I want to have good games before the end of the season and try to do my best in every game. Each opportunity that I have, I will try to give it all on the pitch."

Not only are the Celts returning from the latest international break, but the most recent game was also the derby defeat, and Bernardo is looking for the Hoops to bounce back from that.

He said: “It’s always disappointing to lose a game, but we're 13 points ahead of second place, it’s been a very good season and we are excited to go again after the international break.

“We know that Hearts will be a difficult game but we will do our best and we have learned from the other games what we can improve, and we will try to do it.

“We are ready to go again and with the supporters on our side it’s always easier to play.”

 

There's massive room for improvement but whether he fulfils that potential, I don't know. He's had a very 'meh' season.

 

We need to let him get a full pre season and see how he goes next season, Idah is the same.

 

He's played in 36 competitive games already this season, and Idah 44. The pre season case can maybe be made for Jota due to lack of minutes at Rennes but the other two have had plenty of minutes and should be ready at this point in the season.

 

Oh I understand that, and he’s not been great, but we can’t just sell him and hope that next guy is better, if he goes through this pre season then starts next poorly I would be first to say time to move on. I think there’s really good player there though and would be a shame if we moved him on too early and missed out. I do agree we need better return from midfield though. I guess we will see. Ps I think with a full pre season Jota will be on fire at start of next

 

At 23, there's loads of room for improvement.

He's shown what he can do at times, just hope he shows that determination after a few weeks out.

 

Think he's great tbh. Will be as good as matt in another season imo.

 

Hopefully he gets some game time tomorrow, time for this lad to show his true value.

 

Big boost having him back available

 

Yet another player that I'm glad is back, shows glimpses of what he can do. I think he's been missed in some of our games of late.

 

We have missed him and the depth he brings badly since he has been out so this is great news that he is finally fit again although I assume he will start this one on the bench and maybe play 20-30 minutes.

 

Suspect he needs a run of games between now and end of season and see if he can kick on.
I have confidence in him, shown enough in the past to make me think there is a player there.

 

I actually really like him

 

If we had him available bring on against the zombies and Bayern, there's a good chance we hold on to the ball a bit better in the latter stages of those games and don't concede the late goals.

 

Did well there, great to have him back.

 

He was excellent when he came on.

 

He had a good run out today after a time away injured. Positives signs he's coming back and be available for the run in.