Before the home win against Livingston right before Christmas, Paulo Bernardo had only started two Scottish Premiership games.
The on-loan midfielder from Benfica came and went and wasn’t really given an opportunity to show what he’s definitely capable of.
Brendan Rodgers occasionally substituted David Turnbull and Tomoki Iwata for Bernardo. However, given his current form, the Northern Irishman will struggle to get rid of the Portuguese sensation.
Bernardo has now started four league games this holiday season and is without a doubt Celtic’s best player.
He scored in back-to-back games against Dundee and Rangers, including a memorable derby goal, before giving two great assists against St Mirren on January 2.
That’s four goals in four games for the blossoming central midfielder, and commentator Mark Wilson, speaking on the Open Goal podcast, is liking what he’s seeing.
Paulo Bernardo was originally skeptical.
Former Celtic defender Wilson, on the other hand, has altered his tune on Bernardo. Initially, the pundit was not a fan of him, especially when he appeared in Champions League games.
Wilson now confesses that his view of Bernardo has improved. “I wasn’t having him,” Wilson stated. He played in big games, but I never saw him do anything.
“He’d run around, hardly getting involved or a touch of the ball.” He wouldn’t tackle, and you could see him almost come close to someone, as if he was running on treacle.
“But he looked like a player in the game at Dens Park.” He achieves his purpose, albeit somewhat by chance. But after that, he’s been fantastic, terrific.
“Greg Taylor’s second assist (against St Mirren) was incredible.” Rodgers, who had the opportunity to play him in games, had to be skeptical of him as well.
“He had Turnbull in there, he had Iwata in there, he had McGregor up, and then he had Bernardo.” As a result, the three of them were like a revolving door.
“But, unfortunately for Bernardo, Hatate is back in shape.” If Hatate is still at the club after the break, he must return.
“Bernardo will come out so he’s unfortunate that the break has came at the wrong time for him.”
Wilson, like everyone else of the Celtic persuasion, is smitten with what Bernardo is doing for the Hoops right now.
However, the pundit makes a reasonable point about Reo Hatate’s return from the hospital. The Japanese star is expected to return to midfield after the winter break.
However, given the Portuguese star’s current form, Rodgers doesn’t have much of a reason to sideline him on a regular basis.
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