Brendan Rodgers has provided clarity on the current situation of Portuguese midfielder Paulo Bernardo as Celtic prepare to face Braga in the Europa League tonight…
Paulo Bernardo of Celtic FC competes for the ball with Fahad Al-Rashidi of Al-Ahli SFC during the Como Cup match between Al-Ahli and Celtic FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The former Benfica academy product has found opportunities limited this season at the Hoops, featuring only four times across all competitions.
This evening’s Europa League clash with Braga offers Bernardo the prospect of meeting opposition he knows well from his time in Portuguese football.
In his media duties at Celtic Park yesterday afternoon, Rodgers revealed that Bernardo will be in the squad and could play a part in the encounter.
Speaking at yesterday’s media conference at Celtic Park via Celtic’s official YouTube channel, the Irishman said: “Yes, Paulo will be in the squad. He’s done very well since he’s been here. He has maybe not played as much as what he would have liked. Last year, he had a lot of injuries that kept him out and probably didn’t quite have his rhythm.”
Paulo Bernardo at Firhill. Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
“However, he has come back in the summer and worked very, very hard. Obviously, there have been one or two other players who have been in front of him, but he’s fighting now for his place. Now he’s up fully in his fitness level, so I expect him to play some part tomorrow.”
Bernardo arrived at Celtic on loan from Benfica in 2023, going on to feature 33 times during Rodgers’ first campaign after returning to the club that summer.
Following an impressive loan spell that featured quality performances in derby matches against theRangers, Celtic secured his services permanently on a five-year deal from Benfica.
Paulo Bernardo Portugal, UEFA European Under 21 Championship 2025 Group Stage, Portugal v France, Å tadion SihoÅ, June 11, 2025 in Trencín, Slovakia Photo by Marco Steinbrenner DeFodi Images
Injury issues disrupted any consistency he could find last season, but he still managed to feature 37 times across all competitions for the Scottish champions.
Bernardo has not had the minutes he would have wanted during this campaign so far, but with Rodgers yet to find a functional midfield three this season, he could be given an opportunity over the next couple of weeks and after the international break. Only time will tell.
Conor Spence
i’d believe the dog in the street before i’d believe rodgers
Paulo pack your bags this frauds not gonna give you game time
Until I couldn’t stand my skin crawling constantly, I studied and implemented this corporate divide and conquer strategy in a former executive role. There’s literally manuals originating out of private think tanks on how to gaslight populations over everything from what toothpaste is effective (it’s not) to whether tanks are appropriate at political uprisings…Here is basic summary. Spread it around the protest collective:
The Dangling Carrot Playbook
A long-running psychological operation that dangles the carrot is best understood as a protracted influence operation or strategic deception campaign. It keeps people engaged, compliant, or hopeful by presenting the illusion of progress or reward—always just out of reach.
How It Works
Gradual Conditioning:
People are nudged to believe change is happening. Even when it does, it’s framed to serve the psyop — reinforcing the illusion of progress.
Shifting Goalposts:
Expectations are constantly adjusted—just enough to maintain faith in the system.
Perpetual Near-Breakthroughs:
The promised reward or event is always almost here, but never actually materializes.
Weaponized Hope:
Hope itself becomes the trap—keeping people from walking away or questioning the narrative.