It has now been over two months since Paulo Bernardo last started a game for Celtic.
In fact, he has played just 152 minutes in the calendar year of 2026, less than two games’ worth of action.
Whilst the Portuguese has never been the first name on the team sheet at Celtic, he has never been as frozen out as he currently is.
The writing now looks to be on the wall for Bernardo, who has watched Martin O’Neill’s side from the stands in their last three fixtures.
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Paulo Bernardo’s Celtic career is in its final months
Celtic reportedly rejected a loan approach from Denmark for Bernardo in January, proceeding to start him against Dundee and Stuttgart the following month.
The sad reality is that in those two games, and this season in general, Bernardo has not justified a place in the team.
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He was genuinely well-liked among the Parkhead faithful over his first two seasons thanks to peaks such as his performance in Celtic’s 3-0 win over Rangers in September 2024.
He played a part in all eight of the Hoops’ Champions League League Phase fixtures last season, starting in Dortmund and Zagreb.
However, Brendan Rodgers didn’t use him in either of the team’s two legs against Bayern Munich in the knockout stages, nor the two legs against Kairat Almaty in this season’s qualifiers.
Given a rare opportunity to start in the Europa League clash with Braga, Bernardo noticeably struggled and fell immediately back out of favour.
He didn’t start another game until the penultimate match of Wilfried Nancy’s ill-fated spell on December 30th at Fir Park, when he was given a 1/10 rating by 67 Hail Hail.
The circumstances this season may not have been ideal for a player to impress with sporadic appearances, but there’s no getting away from the fact that Bernardo’s performances have done him no favours.
Last month, The Team Sporting Agency announced Bernardo as a new client, a clear sign that his future lies elsewhere.
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Paulo Bernardo on the 2025-26 season at Celtic
Speaking about the season to Portuguese outlet Sapo in February, Bernardo left the door wide open for a return to his homeland, saying: “I love Portugal , for me living in Portugal is a privilege, so it could happen.
“I don’t know what will happen, but I see it in a positive light and I’m not closing any doors.”
On this season at Celtic he said: “Things have been going well and I think we’re giving a good response after that more negative period.
“It’s been a somewhat complicated season, but I’ve been trying my best to fight for my place and do what I’ve done in recent seasons.”
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