In the last few weeks, there has been a concerning downturn in the general state of Celtic standards, as seen by PAULO BERNARDO’S form.
There was a strong push at the beginning of the year for Brendan Rodgers to pay the rumored £6 million needed to guarantee the playmaker, who was on loan from Benfica, a permanent move in the summer.
After asking if Bernardo was indeed Oliver Abildgaard with a darker tan, as described in Alex’s Angle in CQN on December 2, I was getting ready to swallow big dollops of humble pie.
Of course, I was talking about the towering Danish midfielder—admittedly a completely different kind of player than the more delicate Portuguese performer—who, in January of last year, had his season-long move abruptly ended when Ange Postecoglou indicated the way to the Parkhead exit.
WALLOPIn December, Celtic won the 2-1 derby at Parkhead thanks to an incredible effort by Paul Bernardo.
I had not noticed anything in Bernardo’s play that would indicate he would not experience a similar destiny as Brendan Rodgers, but on Boxing Day, at Dens Park, the 22-year-old middle-of-the-park operator came to life.
Even better, four days later, Paulo showed impeccable timing in the derby match in Glasgow’s east end, thrashing a magnificent drive past the helpless Jack Butland for the game-winning goal that gave the club a 2-1 triumph.
I could hardly believe I was watching the same player who had repeatedly Dingwall a few weeks prior, when opponents’ goalie Ross Laidlaw posed less of a threat to bystanders in the street outside the ground when Bernardo opted to take a shot.
Bernardo participated in a game against Philippe Clement’s Ibrox team that will undoubtedly become very important towards the finish of the season.
PUNK ON WOODEarlier this month, in the 1-1 draw at Pittodrie, Paulo Bernardo lobs the ball over Aberdeen goalie Kelle Roos, but it hits the crossbar.
But in the seven meetings since 2024, the player has only played the entire game once—against Buckie Thistle. He was a welcome addition as a second-half substitute for Adam Idah in the two most recent games—the 2-0 Scottish Cup victory in Paisley and the 1-1 draw at Parkhead against St Mirren.
Paulo was a spectator before his 68th-minute introduction, so it would be unfair to blame him for the terrible outcome against Killie. However, if he had shown a little more composure late in the game, as he skied one over the crossbar from 12 yards, the entire dynamic of the match would have changed.
The Portuguese artist is clearly someone who feeds off confidence, but sadly, among the ranks of the champions right now, it seems like that valuable resource is in limited supply.
Bernardo appears to be a shadow of the guy who, on December 30 at Celtic Park, advanced with menace and purpose onto a headed clearance from Abdallah Sima following a right-wing corner kick from Luis Palma.
Oh no,Paulo Bernardo expresses his annoyance at having missed such a great chance in the 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock.
When the ball shot off his right boot on the edge of the box and nearly tore the net from the stanchion behind Butland, it was a blur on that particular occasion.
Then, while Kilmarnock keeper Will Dennis was fumbling and going through the motions, we saw the same player mishandle his shot, sending it high and wide, when he had the entire goal at his disposal.
The issue with Paulo was exposed in two different incidences that happened at the same location over the course of eight games.
Can Bernardo be trusted with a five-year Celtic contract, assuming an agreement can be reached with his original club? Or is he going to share Abildgaard’s fate?
Time will tell, and for the Portuguese midfielder, that is another invaluable resource that may soon run out.
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