After several frustrating weeks on the sidelines, Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo is finally ready to return to action. The Portuguese playmaker has recovered from an injury that kept him out for over six weeks, and he’s eager to make an impact as the Hoops push for a potential domestic treble.
Excited to Return
Bernardo couldn’t hide his excitement when speaking about his return. He told CeltsArehere: “I’m really excited. The injury was bad, but I recovered very well, and hopefully, I can play from now on.” While he feels fit enough to feature at the weekend, he admits that lasting 90 minutes might be a stretch. “It’s been a while since I’ve been on the pitch, so I might not be fit for the full game, but I’ll try my best to do whatever I can.”
A Tough Injury Spell
The injury turned out to be more serious than first expected, much to Bernardo’s frustration. “It was bad when I saw the scan results because I thought it would be short-term, but it wasn’t. It was disappointing, but I used the time to recover properly and improve in other areas.” Missing major fixtures, including the Champions League ties against Bayern Munich and the derby against Rangers, made it even harder. “Every player wants to play in all the games, especially big ones like those. I tried to support my teammates from the sidelines as much as possible.”
Looking Forward to Playing with Jota Again
One of the biggest stories in recent months has been Jota’s return to Celtic, and Bernardo is excited to link up with his former Benfica teammate once more. “I’m looking forward to playing with everyone, but Jota is great. We talk a lot, and I think we make a good pair.” Interestingly, he revealed that he only spoke to Jota after he had already rejoined the club. “He was really excited to be back.”
Focused on Silverware
With the Scottish Premiership title and the Scottish Cup still to fight for, Bernardo is determined to play his part. “As a team, we still have goals to achieve, and we’ll give our best to reach them. Personally, I want to have good games before the end of the season and give my all in every opportunity I get.”
Bouncing Back from the Derby Defeat
Celtic may be in a strong position at the top of the league, but the recent Glasgow derby defeat was a setback. “Losing any game is disappointing, but we’ve had a very good season—we’re 13 points ahead in the league with only two losses. We’re excited to return after the international break, learn from past games, and improve.”
Supporters Will Be Key
Bernardo knows how important the fans will be in the final stretch of the season. “Having the supporters behind us makes it easier to play and push forward.”
Champions League Ambitions
Looking ahead, Bernardo believes Celtic’s Champions League experience this season will be crucial for the Hoops’ continued progress. “The Champions League is amazing for us and the club—financially and competitively. Playing against the best players in the world is an incredible experience, and it’s really important to be in it again next season.”
With Bernardo back in the squad, Celtic fans have plenty to be excited about as the Hoops look to finish the season on a high with a domestic treble.
