PAULO BERNARDO has opened up on “the problem at Celtic” that led to his loan move to Polish outfit Gornik Zabrze in the summer.
The future looked bright for the Portuguese playmaker when the Hoops paid £3.5million to Benfica in the summer of 2024 after his initial impressive season-long loan in which he made 22 appearances and scored three goals.
One of his trio of strikes came in the crucial 2-1 win over Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side at in the December derby at Parkhead where Kyogo Furuhashi claimed a memorable winner.
Last term, though, Bernardo struggled for consistency and game time throughout a tumultuous campaign which saw three managers – Brendan Rodgers, Wilfried Nancy and Martin O’Neill – in charge of the team.
WALLOP…Paulo Bernardo thunders in Celtic’s opening goal in the champions’ 2-1 derby day victory in December 2023.
The former Portuguese Under-21 international skipper dropped out of the picture altogether in the final two months of the crusade with the Callum McGregor, Arne Engels and Reo Hatate regularly getting the nod from the 74-year-old Irishman.
Following a chat with O’Neill, it was decided the 24-year-old midfielder should looked elsewhere for regular first-team football which led to his move to Poland.
Reflecting on his situation, Bernardo said: “At the beginning of the season, with the signing of other players, I started to play more as a six and not as my initial position when I joined Celtic.
“I think that was one of the key factors. I never got the consistency to play in a run of games. It was always one or two and then bench again.
“Then maybe one start and then one bench. I never got the consistency and that was the problem at Celtic.
“I started to play in a deeper role. I’m not that comfortable there and I don’t like it that much.”
JOY BHOY…Paulo Bernardo celebrates a rare Celtic goal.
Asked if No.8 was his preferred position, Bernardo, speaking to The Herald, answered: “Yes, I think for me that’s the best position.
“I like to defend in the midfield, but I like to attack as well and be closer to the goal and have the opportunities to score and create goals.
“I spoke to Martin O’Neill in the last days with the deal almost done. I told him I needed to play and I don’t think at Celtic right now I would have the game time that I needed.”
Gornik have the option to make the switch permanent, but Bernardo has refused to rule out a return to the champions.
He added: “I always loved my time at Celtic. The football last season, I didn’t enjoy that much because I didn’t play, but I was very happy for me and my team to win the championship and the Cup in that part of the season.
“I will always love Celtic. It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world. I will fight always for my place, but you never know in these situations.
“I don’t have any regrets about joining Celtic and I don’t have any problems to join Celtic again.”
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