After a successful loan spell, Paulo Bernado is clearly delighted to have been made a permanent member of Brendan Rodger’s Celtic squad.
The central midfielder who is still just 22, captured both hearts and minds as he would go onto make 33 appearances for the club during his loan spell and would chip in with four goals.
Happy to commit some of the best years of his career to the club, Bernado signed a five year deal which will be valid until 2029. Capped as a Portuguese under 21 player, Bernado will hope to hit the ground running for his new club and find a way to break into Roberto Martinez’s Portuguese national side.
Rodgers happy to have Bernado quality to call upon
With at least eight more fixtures to play in the Champions League as well as deep runs in both the League and Scottish FA Cups, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers needs more quality in his side if Celtic are to have the season that many believe they are capable of having.
Depth will be very much the key and to be able to call upon the services of Bernado seems to have delighted the Celtic boss.
“Paulo made a great impact for us at some real pivotal moments, delivering for us when he needed to for the team and we are sure that he can bring that same determination, ability and quality to us over the next number of years.”
A central midfielder by trade, Bernado has the ability to drive the ball up the pitch as well as make crucial tackles and keep his team ticking over with the ball. As you would imagine from a player who learnt the game at one of Europe’s elite clubs, with the ball at his feet Bernado is technically sound and is one of the most gifted players at the club.
Whilst he may not be the quickest or strongest, it’s with the ball at his feet where he can do the most damage and his ability to unlock a defence could end up being crucial for Celtic as they start their quest to land yet another treble and advance deep into European competition.
To begin with, patience may end up being his greatest virtue. In a competitive area of the pitch, Bernado has had to settle for a place on the bench in his first few games and he looks to be behind Reo Hatate and, for now, Matt O’Riley when it comes to who is Rodgers’ first choice to partner Calum McGregor in the heart of the Celtic midfield.
Still, with the games about to come thick and fast, he will be looking to make his first start for his side and make his mark.
Quest for the treble is on
Although he spent his formative years as a professional player, Bernado’s first silverware as a pro came during his loan spell when Celtic were able to claim both the League and Scottish FA Cup titles and he will be eager to add more this season.
For Celtic, winning the league is never enough. Their fans expect total domination and with their great rivals, Rangers, seeming suffering off the pitch, Celtic look to have been given a great chance of winning the treble this season.
In his second stint with the club, Rodgers is on track to become one of the club’s greatest managers. Able to guide Celtic to the treble in his first spell at the club, Rodgers will be looking to sweep the board yet again and firmly position Celtic as Scotland’s best side.
Despite a slow start to life last season, with many believing that Rodgers may have been sacked, it’s taken a while for this side to click, but the early indications of this season seems to be that Rodgers has found the secret formula and he has got his side playing some brilliant football again.
Another shot of glory and history potentially awaits and you can be assured that both Rodgers and Bernado will want to seize it.
Success in Europe is a must
Although in recent times Celtic have been the top dogs in Scotland, in Europe it has been Rangers who have been able to have the bragging rights. In recent seasons Celtic’s European record has been miserable and with this new look Champions League format about to start, Celtic will hope to at least reach the knockout stages.
Able to dominate the vast majority of their SPL games, the Champions League will represent a different test entirely. Often the team that faces less possession and struggles to maintain the ball, Celtic will hope that a player of Bernardo’s class can help turn Celtic’s fortunes around.
With the ability to keep the ball under pressure, it could well be that Bernardo’s best performances this year come in Europe’s premier competition. Look for him to be one of Celtic’s shining lights in Europe this season.
Plenty to look forward to
Celtic have made a strong start to the season, winning their first two SPL games and comfortably securing a place in the quarter-finals of the League Cup. With the treble in sight, they remain the oddsmakers’ favorites in all three competitions.
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