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Fullname: Paulo Guilherme Gonçalves Bernardo
aka: Paulo Bernardo
Born: 24 January 2002
Birthplace: Almada, Portugal
Signed: 1 Sep 2023 (on loan 2023/24 with option to convert to perm)
Left: –
Position:
Debut: Celtic 3-0 Dundee, SP, 16 Sep 2023
Squad No.: 28
Internationals: […]
International Caps: [TBC at end of career]
International Goals: [TBC at end of career]
Biog
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Quotes
“[Midfield is] one of the areas I want to improve in the team. What we have is, we’ve David, whose strengths – with the greatest of respects – are to play against low blocks when we’re trying to nick a goal. Getting around the pitch is maybe not a strength. When you go into Champions League games you need that ability to run. So, then Paolo [Bernardo] has played in those games. It’s finding that sort of complete package, really. Callum has played in that deeper role for a few years but [moving him forward] is something I’ve thought about. Tomo would’ve played in Lazio if he was available, but sadly he missed out [through not being on the UEFA squad list].”
Rodgers (Dec 2023)
Playing Career
[Table to indicate clubs played for, including dates, transfers and fees where known [e.g. soccerbase table]]
| APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2023-24 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Total | |||||
| Goals |
Honours with Celtic
(Honours are marked below in which the player has played in at least one of the matches in the campaign.)
Scottish League
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Scottish Cup
- […]
Scottish League Cup
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Notes
Articles
Paulo Bernardo joins from Benfica on season-long loan
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2023/september/01/paulo-bernardo-joins-from-benfica-on-season-long-loan/
First Team By Celtic Football Club
01 Sep 2023, 8:55 pm
Paulo Bernardo has become the latest addition to Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic squad, with the Portuguese midfielder having joined from Benfica on a season-long loan with an option to buy. The move is subject to international clearance.
The highly-rated 21-year-old, who has represented his country at Under-21 level, is a graduate of Benfica’s youth system, and made his first-team debut in a UEFA Champions League group-stage game against Bayern Munich.
He has gone on to make 23 appearances for Benfica, while he spent the second half of last season on loan at Portuguese side, Pacos Ferreira.
Paulo Bernardo said: “I’m very excited to be here. It’s a great club and I’m ready to be on the pitch and to help the team.
‘Our ambition is to be champions and perform very well in the group stages of the Champions League and go as far as we can.’
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: “Paulo is a young player who come in with the opportunity to give us more strength in depth in that midfield area.
“He’s already gained first-team experience at a top-class club in Benfica, which is something he will bring to Celtic, and we’re looking forward to working with him over the course of this season
Paulo Bernardo: I’m ready to perform for Celtic
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2023/september/01/paulo-bernardo–i-m-ready-to-perform-for-celtic/
First Team
By Ryan Maher
Share
01 Sep 2023, 9:25 pm
Paulo Bernardo is straight in the door and is ready to get right down to business.
The Portugal Under-21 international midfielder has signed a season-long loan with an option to buy from Primeira Liga giants Benfica.
The 21-year-old arrives with Champions League experience, featuring in their run to the quarter-finals in 2022 and playing away to Bayern Munich, Ajax and Liverpool.
Bernardo can’t wait to experience Europe’s elite competition once again at Paradise and is excited to pull on the green and white hoops for the first time.
Speaking exclusively to Celtic TV, he said: “I’m very excited to be here. It’s a great club and I’m ready to be on the pitch and to help the team.
“I always grew up with Celtic in the big competitions in the Champions League and most of the time as champions here in Scotland.
‘I have always seen Celtic as a big and a great club.’
“The Champions League is a great competition and I’m ready for it.
“Our ambition is to be champions and perform very well in the group stages of the Champions League and go as far as we can.”
Spending the second-half of last season on loan at Pacos de Ferreira, scoring twice in 13 appearances, Bernardo now arrives in Glasgow hoping to showcase his attacking flair in the Hoops.
He added: “I’m more of an attacking midfielder and I like to be near the area to score goals and make great passes.
“The manager explained to me a little bit about Celtic and he asked me if I’m ready to be part of the team. It was really nice and I’m read
James McFadden delivers Paulo Bernardo verdict as Celtic suffer Champions League defeat at Lazio
https://www.67hailhail.com/match/james-mcfadden-delivers-paulo-bernardo-verdict-as-celtic-suffer-champions-league-defeat-at-lazio/
Wed 29 November 2023 16:30
Amir Mir
The selection and performance of Paulo Bernardo during Celtic’s 2-0 defeat to Lazio in the UEFA Champions League was a big talking point for James McFadden.
Before the must-win game for Brendan Rodgers’ side could kick-off, he expressed his ‘big surprise’ at Paulo Bernardo starting.
Now, Celtic are light in numbers across the pitch, especially with the injury to Reo Hatate, so if he was fit, then he starts instead.
Either way, James McFadden felt that Celtic’s on-loan star couldn’t get going and stated that he ‘barely touched the ball’ in Lazio’s final third, as he told Sportsound.
It was a pretty dull first half, from both sides, nothing much was happening, with the duo playing it fairly safe.
But at the start of the second half, the Bhoys tried to put their foot down, as Kyogo Furuhashi missed a very good chance that whistled past the post early in the second half.
That’s when Ciro Immobile was introduced into the action and he blew Celtic away with a brace – Alan Brazil slammed the player’s actions.
Nonetheless, this is what James McFadden had to say about Paulo Bernardo before and during the game.
“Bernardo is probably the biggest surprise for me,” said McFaddenon his selection before the game. “I am not sure yet. I don’t really see what he is.”
And then throughout the game, McFadden shared his thoughts on Bernardo’s performance:
“He didn’t have a great deal of options. He had Kyogo making that run, but because of Lazio’s pressure. Celtic have brought everyone back defending and Bernardo doesn’t have any other option. He is trying to free himself up, but in the end, he ends up with three men around him.
“You are speaking about how they need to get Forrest, Yang and Kyogo into the game, they absolutely do.
“But, in order to do that. They have to find Bernardo and O’Riley. They have barely touched the ball in and around Lazio’s box. They are the key players who will draw defenders out of position.
“Bernardo almost hesitates, he should be going with real urgency.
“It’s an easy pass for someone to play and he gets it wrong. Wasted opportunity.”
SS Lazio v Celtic FC: Group E – UEFA Champions League 2023/24
Photo by Domenico Cippitelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Paulo Bernardo doesn’t impress
At 21, there still has to be patience with the player, but he didn’t do enough to get his forward players in the game.
Playing in midfield, away from home in Europe, isn’t easy, but he was just too safe during the match.
The stats don’t make good reading. Footmob handed him a 6.6 rating, with 35 touches during the game and zero in Lazio’s penalty box – he was subbed with 20 minutes left for Hyeongyu Oh.
To put that into context, Mikey Johnston, who came on after the hour mark, had 23 touches.
The issue with Bernardo is that he needs to come to life, push further forward, and take those risks because he wasn’t doing that in Rome.
Reo Hatate has that swagger to his game, Matt O’Riley is always involved in the final third, whilst Callum McGregor is the controller and reliable figure.
Celtic fans are yet to see what Bernardo is all about.