Opinion: Celtic Star Sent Strong Message to Brendan Rodgers on Tuesday — But Will He Listen?

In a season where Celtic’s midfield has seen frequent rotation and fluctuating performances, Paulo Bernardo has emerged as a player who simply must be a regular starts alongside Callum McGregor.

His recent performances in the gritty 0-0 Champions League draw against Dinamo Zagreb and previous matches are showing his growing importance to Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Celtic’s midfield has been a revolving door this season, with inconsistent form affecting Reo Hatate, Arne Engels, and others. The competition for places is fierce, but based on recent evidence, Bernardo offers something that the others currently do not—stability, composure, and a relentless work rate.

Against Dinamo Zagreb, the Portugal U21 captain delivered a performance that, while not spectacular, stood out. His stats tell the story of a player who is reliable under pressure and capable of doing the dirty work:

• 34 out of 37 accurate passes (a pass accuracy of over 91%). [FlashScore]
• 5 out of 6 duels won, showing his tenacity in midfield battles.
• Effective pressing off the ball, a skillset that makes him invaluable in European matches where defensive discipline is key.

While the team struggled to create clear-cut chances in Zagreb, Bernardo was one of the few positives. He kept things ticking over and was constantly involved in the action, unlike his fellow midfielders, who were off the pace. Reo Hatate and Arne Engels, who have both had their moments this season, failed to assert themselves in the match.

Hatate, in particular, has looked off the boil for some time now, but he has it in him to be the best player in Scotland, so it’s incredibly frustrating.

Bernardo’s ability to remain composed under pressure, pick the right passes, and win physical duels means he offers the kind of midfield balance that Celtic desperately need. In matches where the team needs to grind out results, his disciplined approach stands out.

Celtic fans will be disappointed that Luke McCowan cannot feature in Sunday’s Scottish League Cup final against Rangers due to being cup-tied. McCowan’s recent performances have been outstanding, in all honesty. Celtic are simply a better side when he’s on the pitch.

Paulo Bernardo has done his bit, showing Rodgers that he’s the man for the job on Sunday. It’s now over to the manager to instil his trust in the player and give him the start at Hampden.