Paulo Bernardo Reveals His Biggest Celtic Inspiration

The 22-year-old’s £3.5 million transfer was long in the works, but it wasn’t official until August 1st when everything was resolved and the move was declared.

Celtic vs. Buckie Thistle – Scottish Cup – Fourth Round – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 21, 2024 Paulo Bernardo of Celtic celebrates his team’s first goal. Russell Cheyne/REUTERS

Bernardo has since become a member of the Celtic squad. In light of Matt O’Riley’s transfer to Brighton, he began last weekend against St. Mirren.

In today’s Glasgow derby, the Portuguese under-21 internationalist is expected to start again, continuing to usurp the mantle from O’Riley, whom he has praised as his greatest “inspiration.”

Now that he is a permanent bhoy, Bernardo aims to replicate the Dane’s amazing form from the previous year.

He acknowledged that Matt O’Riley served as an inspiration to him (The Celtic Way).

He excelled in the previous season. He’s also a little bit of an inspiration because, in my opinion, he was Celtic’s best player throughout the previous campaign, and the stats support that. It was always his job to do. He serves as my role model.

In all competitions last season, O’Riley assisted on 18 goals and scored 19 goals. To cap off a flawless campaign, he won Young Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year, and Player of the Year at Celtic.

Although his transfer to Brighton was expected, the injury he suffered a few minutes into his debut was terrible. Bernardo is hoping for a speedy recovery.

“Matt’s experience was really detrimental to him,” jokingly stated the former Benfica player.

“I’m hoping for a speedy recovery so he may return there and work his magic. Although things are difficult for him right now, he has a strong attitude, therefore I believe he can succeed in England.

When O’Riley left Celtic for the south coast, it set a record departure fee for the team.

Although his move hasn’t gone exactly as he had hoped, there is no question that he will dominate the English Premier League once he recovers from surgery.