Paulo Bernardo and the Celtic Midfield Puzzle: A Defining Moment on a European Night
As Celtic prepare to return to European action under the lights of Paradise this evening against Portuguese side Braga, the stakes are high — not only for the club’s hopes of progressing further in the Europa League, but for certain individuals seeking to carve out their role within Brendan Rodgers’ evolving squad.
Among them is Paulo Bernardo, the Portuguese midfielder who, despite having signed permanently for the club this past summer, has found himself sidelined in the early stages of the 2025–26 season. With just four appearances across all competitions so far, many supporters have begun to wonder where exactly he fits in this Celtic side, and whether he still features prominently in Rodgers’ long-term plans.
Now, ahead of a European fixture that brings added significance due to the opponent’s identity — Braga, a club Bernardo will know well from his days in Portuguese football — the 22-year-old has been handed what could be a crucial opportunity to stake his claim.
In his pre-match media duties at Celtic Park, Brendan Rodgers addressed the midfielder’s situation head-on. The Irishman confirmed that Bernardo will be in the squad for tonight’s clash, and crucially, that he “expects him to play some part.” That subtle endorsement may not sound like much at first glance, but in the context of Bernardo’s challenging start to the campaign and Celtic’s ongoing midfield experimentation, it could mark the beginning of a long-awaited turning point.
A Promising Start Turned Stop-Start Reality
To fully understand Bernardo’s current standing, it’s important to revisit the story so far.
When Paulo Bernardo first arrived at Celtic in the summer of 2023, it was under the radar. Brought in on loan from Benfica — where he was highly rated but unable to break into the senior side regularly — the move felt like a calculated gamble. And for large parts of Rodgers’ first campaign back in charge, it paid off.
Bernardo quietly emerged as one of Celtic’s more composed midfield options. In a season dominated by injuries and inconsistency elsewhere in the squad, his ability to keep things tidy, recycle possession efficiently, and read the game well became increasingly valued — particularly in high-pressure fixtures. His performances in derby matches against Rangers, for example, didn’t necessarily grab headlines, but they certainly caught the eye of those watching closely.
Such was his impact that Celtic acted quickly at the end of the campaign, securing his services on a permanent five-year deal. It was seen as a smart bit of business — tying down a technically sound, tactically aware, and still developing midfielder who could play a vital role in the club’s medium-to-long-term ambitions.
However, the momentum from his loan spell did not carry over into the current season. A combination of fitness issues, squad competition, and a lack of settled midfield structure has seen him drift to the fringes. At a time when fans and pundits have been calling for stability and identity in Celtic’s midfield, Bernardo has not been a consistent part of the solution — at least, not yet.
Rodgers’ Comments: An Opening, But Also a Challenge
That’s what makes Rodgers’ recent comments all the more notable.
“Yes, Paulo will be in the squad. He’s done very well since he’s been here. He has maybe not played as much as what he would have liked. Last year, he had a lot of injuries that kept him out and probably didn’t quite have his rhythm. However, he has come back in the summer and worked very, very hard.”
Rodgers went on to explain that Bernardo’s fitness levels have now returned to the level required and that, with some players ahead of him in the pecking order earlier in the season, Bernardo has been patiently biding his time. The fact that the manager now expects him to feature — even if not from the start — suggests the door is reopening.
This is, in essence, the moment that many young players must navigate: having proven themselves during an initial loan spell, then battling back from injuries, and now facing the test of breaking into a competitive team without the benefit of being an unknown quantity.
It’s also a subtle challenge. Rodgers is effectively saying: We believe in you, you’ve worked hard, now show us it’s worth it.
Familiar Opposition, Familiar Surroundings — and No Excuses
If there was ever a night for Bernardo to show what he can bring to Celtic, this might be it.
The opposition — Braga — is a team he knows intimately. Having spent the formative years of his career in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, Bernardo will have faced Braga numerous times, studied their system, and played against many of their current players. That familiarity, coupled with his deep understanding of Iberian football’s tactical nuances, could give him an edge.
Moreover, Braga’s style of play — possession-oriented, technical, and patient — could suit Bernardo far more than a frantic, end-to-end Scottish Premiership clash. In Europe, where space opens up and games are often played in more controlled phases, Bernardo’s footballing intelligence and positional awareness become assets rather than luxuries.
It’s also a chance to play with a point to prove — not only to Rodgers and the Celtic supporters, but perhaps also to those in Portugal who may have doubted his decision to leave Benfica permanently.
A Midfield in Flux: The Tactical Window of Opportunity
The backdrop to Bernardo’s potential resurgence is Celtic’s current midfield conundrum.
With Callum McGregor still adjusting to deeper roles at times, Reo Hatate battling for rhythm and fitness, and Matt O’Riley alternating between brilliance and burnout, the midfield has lacked cohesion. Other options like David Turnbull and Odin Thiago Holm have shown flashes, but no one has nailed down a spot beyond doubt.
Rodgers’ midfield this season has felt experimental, not settled. The team has alternated between a 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1, with varying levels of success. In such a context, a player like Bernardo — who can play either as a deep-lying controller, a shuttling No. 8, or even as a composed No. 10 — offers flexibility.
More than that, he offers something Celtic have lacked in recent weeks: balance. Bernardo is not flashy, but he’s intelligent. He moves the ball quickly, understands spacing, and doesn’t take unnecessary risks. In a side still searching for rhythm, those traits could be invaluable.
The Long-Term View: Potential vs Proof
There’s no doubt that Celtic saw long-term potential in Bernardo when they signed him permanently. The club’s recruitment under Rodgers has increasingly focused on securing young talent with high ceilings, and Bernardo ticks all those boxes.
However, football is unforgiving. Supporters want to see value from long-term investments now, and for all the promise Bernardo showed last season, the question will soon shift from “could he be a regular?” to “why isn’t he one already?”
That’s why tonight — and the fixtures to follow after the international break — may be so important. A strong performance against Braga, even in a cameo role, can propel Bernardo back into the conversation. It can shift perception from “fringe player” to “valuable asset.” And from there, the trajectory of his Celtic career could begin to ascend once more.
Final Thoughts: Make or Break? Not Quite — But Getting There
To call tonight a “make-or-break” moment for Paulo Bernardo might be overstating things. At 22, with a five-year deal and the backing of the manager, he has time. But time in football moves quickly, and windows of opportunity don’t stay open forever.
Brendan Rodgers has now handed Bernardo the platform. The stage is set — a European night at home, against a team he knows well, in a position Celtic are still trying to solidify. If he plays well, he won’t just help Celtic in a crucial fixture; he’ll remind everyone why the club invested in him in the first place.
The ball is now at his feet — literally and metaphorically. The next chapter of Paulo Bernardo’s Celtic story begins tonight. And if he takes his chance, it could be a significant one.