Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo is aiming to stay at Celtic for the long-term despite no assurances over his future at the club.
Paulo Bernardo, currently on loan from Benfica with a £1.5 million option to buy fee at the end of his loan, discussed his aim to make a permanent move to Celtic Park next summer.
Bernardo said: [Daily Record],“In the time I have, I had to show the manager more and more. I will get better. Could I stay? I think so.”
Bernardo’s limited game has been a concern, but an injury to Reo Hatate has provided him the opportunity to come off the bench against Atletico Madrid and start against Hibernian. He said: “But I have to play a little more to have that chance. Life for me since coming to Celtic has been nice. I like the city and the club. The club is really big. I didn’t have the chance to know about Celtic so much before but since I’ve come here I’ve felt that it is a really big club. I’m really happy to be here and to be helping the club.
“I’ve had to be patient. All players want to play. But I have to work hard to get this chance. And I have to work even harder to keep going and show the coach that I can play a lot more. I have to continue with this work.”
The Hoops midfielder also spoke of his friendship with former Celtic winger Jota and how he believes he can have as great an impact at the club as his former teammate did at Celtic. He said: “When I was at Benfica and he was here, I used to check on my phone to see how he was doing. I kept seeing, ‘Jota scores again!’ I’d look at the goals and it was great to see him doing so well.
“I know he was a really good player here and I want to show that I can be I am too. I know he had a famous celebration that ended up being printed on t-shirts. I don’t have a certain celebration yet – but maybe I will!”
Bernardo believes comparisons Jota made between Celtic and Benfica are warranted with one small difference – the climate. Bernardo said: “He told me Celtic was a big club like our club Benfica. He also told me the biggest difference is the weather here! But I am really enjoying Glasgow, like he told me I would. I feel good here. I know he liked to wear old Celtic strips but he didn’t leave any for me!”
Bernardo certainly showed personality when discussing Celtic, a trait that Hoops supporters have became accustomed to when listening to Jota speak. It’s clear that Bernardo is no different.
The Portuguese Under-21 international is a talented player, he demonstrated this by scoring for his Under-21 national team against Poland in a 6-1 on October 13, 2023.
Brendan Rodgers clearly sees something in Bernardo, or he would not have substituted him on against Atletico Madrid in such a crucial game in the Champions League. With only one start so far this season, Bernardo needs time to prove himself to fans. It’s evident that he wants to remain at Celtic beyond this season, with such glowing comments on the city and the club, despite only joining Celtic two months ago.
Last season, Bernardo joined Pacos de Ferreira on loan in January. In 13 league appearances, he managed to score two goals and provide two assists a respectable tally despite the club’s relegation at the end of the season, as they finished 17th in Liga Portugal.
Bernardo, a promising player will have an opportunity tonight against St Mirren to prove himself and earn a starting spot in Rodgers’ side week in week out. With David Turnbull and Odin Thiago Holm breathing down his neck the pressure is on Bernardo to perform.
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