Manager clarifies Paulo Bernardo’s situation at Celtic | OneFootball

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

Continue reading on the next page…Celtic must formally recognising Celtic Fans Collective…

Celtic must formally recognising Celtic Fans Collective…

Michael Nicholson, Chief Executive of Celtic FC looks on from the stands prior to the Premiership match between Celtic FC and St Mirren FC at Celtic Park on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

After 28 days of silence from the boardroom, three separate protests, and the uniting of more than 400 supporter groups under the Celtic Fans Collective, Celtic FC have finally reached out to fan organisations for discussions…

Celtic fan protest. Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

A meeting has been scheduled for Monday, October 6th, with Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay set to represent the club.

Below is the full statement issued by the Celtic Fans Collective following confirmation of the meeting –

Celtic Fans Collective, Founded September 2025.

‘This evening, Celtic fan organisations received an invitation from Celtic FC to attend a meeting with the club on Monday 6th October to discuss ongoing concerns about the running of the club.

‘In conjunction with the Celtic Fans Collective, supporter organisations have accepted this invitation. Celtic FC’s representatives will include Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay.

‘We welcome the club’s decision to meet and engage directly on the issues raised. However, we remain under no illusions about the scale of change still required at board level.

‘As a result of this development, the planned continuation of the “3-match silence” has been postponed, in good faith, in the hope and expectation that supporters will now receive full and honest communication from the club.

‘We thank every supporter who has stood behind this campaign and helped bring the Celtic board to the table. Without this unity, it would not have been possible. It highlights the strength and influence of a united Celtic support.

‘The Celtic Fans Collective will continue its campaign irrespective of the outcome of this meeting, with the clear aim of securing meaningful, positive change for the betterment of Celtic Football Club and its supporters.’

At his pre-match press conference, Brendan Rodgers was asked about the impact of a potentially subdued atmosphere on his team, and whether it might play into the hands of opposition sides used to hostile environments.

Rodgers responded, “I think that obviously Celtic Park is renowned for its atmosphere and what it can do to the opponent. So it’s probably something, in all fairness, you would have to ask the other team. But I suppose my message is, probably for the longer term, is that hopefully both parties can sit down and respect the differences and find a solution so that we can all pull together again. Because that’s what’s always key here for Celtic.”

While the invitation marks progress, and the postponement of the silent protest a positive reciprocal action, controversy surrounds who has been asked to attend. Despite its size and influence, the Celtic Fans Collective was not named among the invited groups. Instead, the club contacted ‘recognised’ supporter organisations, requesting that each submit up to two named representatives before the meeting.

Some Steering Group members of the Collective will be present in their capacity as representatives of their own groups, but it seems, not directly as delegates of the Collective itself. To some supporters, this omission may perhaps be viewed as a red flag and a potential attempt by the board to divide and conquer.

The exclusion of the Collective has raised suspicion that the club intends to control the narrative by dictating who can, and cannot, represent fans. Some argue that the invited groups should have declined until the Collective was formally included. Others believe attending is absolutely the correct move, but with the condition that future communication should be directed through the Collective.

This meeting represents a major test of the Collective’s unity. If groups stand together and act in concert, the board will find it harder to drive wedges between them. If not, the campaign risks losing momentum.

Your Silence is Deafening banner in the North Curve. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock

Despite these concerns, most fans agree that the meeting is at least a positive first step. The “3-match silence” protest has been paused, not ended, and the Collective insists their campaign will continue regardless of what is said on Monday night. The seven questions put to the board by the Collective remain unanswered.

On Monday evening, Celtic supporters will get their first real indication of whether the board intends to meet fans in good faith, or whether the dialogue is just another attempt to pacify. And this meeting should be the chance for the Celtic Board to formally recognise the Celtic Fans Collective because it’s not going away.

Niall J

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Danny McGrain, David Potter & Willie Fernie – what a combination!

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now, order your copy at Celticstarbooks.com

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

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Celtic 3-0 St Mirren, Scottish Premier League, Celtic Park, 15 May 1982.Celtic captain Danny McGrain collects the championship trophy as Roy Aitken looks on. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

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Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.

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