Paulo Bernardo’s Boxing Day performance for Celtic appears to be changing some fans’ opinion of the midfielder.
Initially, his contributions on the pitch, though limited in league play, hadn’t made a significant impact, leading to some discontent among supporters. However, his showing in the Dundee game has sparked excitement and optimism about his potential.
Bernardo, who is still only 21 years old, demonstrated marked improvement in this match. Not only did he score his first goal for Celtic, but he also played the full ninety minutes.
He only misplaced three passes throughout the match and was diligent in his defensive duties, making seven recoveries. While he did commit a few fouls, his overall contribution was positive and indicated his growing comfort and effectiveness in the team.
His performance was noted for being not just neat and tidy, which had been the norm for him, but also more creative. He showed a willingness to push forward, get beyond the midfield, and venture into the box, providing a better balance in the midfield. These are promising signs for a young player still in the developmental phase of his career.
Regarding the future, Celtic has an option to buy included in Bernardo’s loan deal. It’s believed that a fee similar to Jota’s would be enough to secure the player permanently, despite having a £90 million release clause in his contract.
If he continues to improve and fit well into the team’s dynamics, Celtic might see him as a valuable long-term investment. But, he must show his quality consistently over a run of games for Celtic to spend that sort of money.
