CELTIC playmaker Paulo Bernardo celebrates his 23rd birthday today.
This time last year, there were still questions for the on-loan Benfica midfielder to answer as he attempted to show his qualities.
The former Portuguese Under-21 international captain made a slow start to his season-long temporary switch as Brendan Rodgers settled back into the Hoops hot seat after his return in June 2023 and sifted through the squad he had inherited as he attempted to piece the jigsaw together.
However, Bernardo took off with some eye-catching performances before the turn of the year, most notably his stand-out display in the Glasgow derby when his thunderous right-foot volley almost took the net away from behind Jack Butland to give the Hoops a first-half advantage.
DERBY DELIGHT…loan Bhoy Paulo Bernardo wallops in the opener in the 2-1 win over the Ibrox side on December 30 2023.
A wonder strike from Koyogo Furuhashi gave the hosts a crucial 2-1 win at a packed and rocking Parkhead, a victory that pointed the champions on their way to a third successive title.
Bernardo also played a key role in the Hoops overcoming Philippe Clement’s side in the Scottish Cup Final showpiece at Hampden on the iconic date of May 25.
Rodgers sent him on for Reo Hatate in the 79th minute and, with the game deadlocked at 0-0 with full-time approaching, the smooth operator swooped onto a pass in the centre circle, sidestepped a challenge from Nico Raskin and then applied the afterburners as he headed for enemy territory.
From just outside the box, he unleashed a vicious dipping, swerving drive that bamboozled Butland who could only parry the ball and Adam Idah was in like a flash to fire in the winner.
PRIZE GUY…Portuguese ace Paulo Bernardo holds aloft the newly-won Premier Sports League Cup at Hampden last month.
Ten minutes of stoppage time were added on before the final whistle blew and Rodgers and his Celtic players celebrated a league and Cup double.
That was enough to persuade the club to shell out £3million to the Lisbon giants to make the transfer permanent in the summer.
And Bernardo was back at the national stadium last month to celebrate again against the same opponents when he played 71 minutes before being replaced by £11million man Arne Engels as Celtic lifted the Premier Sports League Cup.
CQN readers and Celtic fans everywhere wish Paulo Bernardo a wonderful 23rd birthday and hope he enjoys continued success in the hoops.