Once more in the summer window just passed, Celtic brought in a relatively young player on loan from Benfica. Following in the footsteps of his fellow countryman Jota, Paulo Bernardo made the move to Glasgow at the back end of the window.
Indeed before the deal was done, Bernardo has revealed he spoke to the former Hoops star and fan-favourite about it. The winger only told his old Benfica teammate good things.
Bernardo spoke to the media on Monday afternoon. He said (Football Scotland): “He (Jota) told me that the city was good and I think that too. He told me about Celtic and said it was a really big club like we are used to at Benfica – it is a really big club too. He told me that it is not too different, the thing that is more different is the weather. But I’m really enjoying Glasgow like Jota said I will.”
He hasn’t yet hit the heights of the now Al-Ittihad man. Bernardo, though, is still keen to make his own mark at the club. He said: “Jota has done his impact and I want to make my impact. We are friends. I speak to him a lot of times but yes, now I have to make my own history here and hopefully it will be good like him.”
Over the coming weeks and months, it is certain Bernardo will get several opportunities. With Reo Hatate out injured, the Portugal under-21 international has a chance to show Brendan Rodgers why he deserves to be one of the first names on the teamsheet.
The 21-year-old has caught the eye so far and will be keen to continually improve and display his abilities that could convince Celtic to take up their option to buy on him.
