04 Aug 2026 22:43:53
Where did it go wrong with Paolo Bernardo?
05 Aug 2026 00:35:26
Not good enough?
05 Aug 2026 06:42:34
Hoops injury hampered him during an important season under br where he was being used, but I think our coaching maybe failed him, he was good enough, a star at Portugal u21 level as captain, exactly the young talent we should be looking to get into Celtic, the model was perfect also provide him first team minutes, get him in on a decent fee while he likes being here and we have relationship with parent club, but once here these players still need coached and developed, a season on bench under br with some injuries followed by mon and the turmoil that existed for me let his desire for us fade and us for him, shame.
05 Aug 2026 06:59:54
Never really given a chance, like so many others.
05 Aug 2026 09:39:17
Bernardo is a player, good on the ball and good when we have the ball.
However, not so good when we don't have the ball. Not aggressive enough. You cannot have a team full of players like that. You can win games by 4, 5, 6, but when you need a 1 - 0 grind, you end up losing 1 - 0.
I think that is the problem.
05 Aug 2026 12:21:29
I remember Bernardo being dropped into European games and looked unreal. The more technical game on the continent is well suited to him but I think the physicality of the spfl is what throws him off?
Just a thought.
05 Aug 2026 12:38:21
Bernardo is a very good player who was probably playing in a formation that didn't suit him.
He said himself that he is a AM but was usually played further back at Celtic.
He was outstanding in the game he scored in against Sevco and you don't become the U21 captain and most capped player for the Portuguese U21 national team if you aren't good enough.
He could have been playing instead of McGregor the last 18mths if the coaches had the balls to bench McGregor.
05 Aug 2026 13:23:05
Apparently Stephen Welsh was telling his Motherwell teammates last season that Bernardo was one of the best players in training on a daily basis at Lennoxtown.
05 Aug 2026 14:40:08
In training he plays like michel Platini. in the starting 11 he plays like michelle mcmanus.
05 Aug 2026 15:04:24
DRB you obviously have an issue with the boy, either that or you have got a clue what a good player is when you see one.
05 Aug 2026 15:19:53
Good luck to him. He showed initially under BR that he had talent and potential, but fell away after injury and the current turmoil and pressure at Celtic is not the ideal place right now and I can see others heading out the door pretty soon.
Being behind McCowan, Oxlaide-Chamberlain and out of favour Hatate tells it's own story.
Celtic are definitely not in a good place because the Board are maintaining a self-destruct policy.
05 Aug 2026 15:38:00
Fao jonbhoy. I've no personal issue with the boy whatsoever. you do know this is a banter site? I can also see like his current and previous managers that he is an average player not good enough to hold a regular starting place in the team. I think he's average and not worth a place in squad as apparently does mon by letting him out on loan with an option to buy to this mighty powerhouse polish team.
( banter in case its missed) . if uou / anyone thinks he's great. good. hard done by that's fine by me and entirely your opinion but don't so arrogant and a prik to say I don't know good players because I have a different opinion than you.
05 Aug 2026 16:14:18
DRB - I'm with you totally. Opinion is thought without evidence. It is not fact.
I always wondered why Bernardo didn't get more game time as I liked him. He would always try and turn a player instead of pinging the ball straight back to where it came from.
I've always thought a player must fit into a team. Doesn't matter how good he is, he must fit into the team. Therefore, I assume the coaches/ manager sees something that doesn't fit.
Now I'm not an ex-pro, coach, or manager responsible for fielding the best team to win a game. So, I'll leave that to those that are responsible and try and keep my worthless opinion to myself.
05 Aug 2026 19:24:44
He was played in wrong position, similar to Engels, because no one has the sense or awareness that CM is better suited to a more forward role.
CM stagnates our forward play.
We need to move the ball forward a lot quicker and he doesn't have the game to look and pass it forward for our attackers.
In and around the opposition box he is more effective but MON will not change his position in his team.
Our football last season was turgid and from our first game I saw nothing to suggest anything is changing fast.
I do not know how much Berg would cost but he is a forward thinking, attacking midfielder and knows Hogh and where to find him.
The Italian we are looking at (apparently) is a more defensive type midfielder, would signing him move CM forward.