Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo’s key ambition going into this season was simple: score more goals.
So far, he has met his target, and is only one behind his overall tally from last campaign despite us not even reaching Christmas yet.
The Portugal under-21s captain joined the Hoops permanently from Benfica over the summer, penning a five-year deal in Glasgow’s east end.
Bernardo impressed with his energy, drive, and vivacity in the middle of the park while on loan at the Scottish Premiership champions last campaign. Brendan Rodgers consequently secured his long-term services.
While he has struggled to get a consistent run of games in 2024/25 to date, Bernardo continually impresses when he takes to the field.
He made only his seventh start for the Bhoys this season on Saturday against Ross County and found the back of the net 35 minutes in with a powerful close-range strike.
Post-match, he spoke about his desire to score more goals and how he uses former Celtic midfielder and now Brighton and Hove Albion man Matt O’Riley as an example to help him do so: “I am scoring more goals this year than last year,” he said (The Celtic Way).
“Was that a big target for me? Yes. I think every player wants to score goals. I’m an offensive midfielder.
“I look at Matt O’Riley last season as an example. He scored a lot of goals and I’m trying to get [big] numbers too. The coach always says to every midfielder to get in the box because things can happen like on Saturday when my goal was from a second ball in the box.
“If I make runs into the box, I can have these balls to catch up and shoot from. He encourages that. I think the goals will come with time. By just playing game by game and doing the right things. Any player who scores a lot of goals is very valuable to a team.”
Still just 22, Bernardo has a wealth of room for development.
Whenever he’s played this season, though, he’s proved to be a more than ample contributor in Celtic’s midfield.
Fans want to see him given a consistent run of starts for his continually impressive form.
