Paulo Bernardo reveals what Jota told him about Celtic
Paulo Bernardo joined Celtic in the summer on a season-long loan from Benfica. He was one of the most highly-rated youngsters at the Portuguese club but never really found his feet in the senior team. Does that story sound familiar? Well, that was pretty much exactly Jota’s situation before he arrived at Parkhead.
Jota would go on to establish himself as Celtic’s superstar from Portugal. The fans will be hoping that Bernardo enjoys similar success as well.
Bernardo has mostly been restricted to cameo appearances off the bench and has done pretty well considering the circumstances. With Reo Hatate picking up another injury and out for the foreseeable future, the Portuguese midfielder looks set for a run in the starting XI though.
Now, it is important for Bernardo to take the chances that are going to come his way over the coming weeks and months. Otherwise, he might never make it at Celtic Park.
Bernardo reveals what Jota told him about Celtic
Bernardo might have already had an idea of what to expect from life in Glasgow, thanks to Jota. And the Portuguese midfielder has shed some light on what the winger told him.
As reported by the Daily Record, Bernardo said:
"“We are friends. We talked a little bit before and after I came here. He told me a lot of things that made me a little bit more comfortable here. It was really nice from him to speak with me.“He told me Celtic was a big club like our club Benfica. He also told me the biggest difference is the weather here! But I am really enjoying Glasgow, like he told me I would. I feel good here. I know he liked to wear old Celtic strips but he didn’t leave any for me!“We are different personalities, we have different ways. I have known him since I was about six or seven, a long time ago. It wasn’t until we got to the Benfica first team that we really got to know each other.”"
The competition for places in the middle of the park is very high at Celtic Park at this point in time. Thus, Bernardo will need to impress from the very beginning if he is to have a place in the starting XI for any extended length of time. There is no doubt about his talent. But he now needs to perform consistently.
If he can do that, there is a chance that his loan stint at Celtic could end up becoming permanent, just like Jota. If he fails to do so, the Portuguese midfielder will find himself back at Benfica come next season.