Former Celtic target Patrick Berg played a big part in Norway’s World Cup win over Brazil and he showed the Parkhead club exactly what they had within their grasp.
Berg caught Celtic’s eye back in January 2022 as Ange Postecoglou looked to bolster his midfield options at the time.
And now, four years later, Berg has just shown Celtic what they could have won after he helped Norway brush aside Brazil to book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
🤔 Do Celtic need to sign a centre-back this summer?
Patrick Berg showed exactly why Celtic wanted him
Berg completed the full 90 minutes in Norway’s win over Brazil and his stats against one of the world’s best teams are quite incredible:
- 90 minutes played
- 25/27 accurate passes
- 93% pass accuracy
- 3 tackles
- 5 defensive contributions
- 2/2 successful dribbles
- 100% dribble success
- 6/7 ground duels won
- 86% ground duel success
- 1/1 aerial duels won
- 0 times dribbled past
- 0 fouls committed
- 3 passes into the final third
- 1 block
- 1 clearance
They’re the numbers of a midfielder who dictates the rhythm of a game and makes life easier for everyone around him.
The World Cup has only reinforced Celtic’s original judgement
The Brazil display wasn’t a one-off.
Across all his World Cup appearances, Berg has produced two assists, created three big chances, posted an 89.4% passing accuracy, made 16 defensive contributions, won 13 duels and generated 1.42 expected assists despite operating as a holding midfielder.
Celtic deserve credit for spotting Berg before his reputation reached another level. He later confirmed the club’s interest was real, showing the recruitment department had identified exactly the sort of midfielder capable of thriving on the biggest stage.
The frustration is that the transfer rumour never went any further.
Every World Cup creates players whose value suddenly explodes. Patrick Berg isn’t one of them. Celtic already knew how good he was. His performances in the United States have simply reminded everyone else.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
