Paulo Bernardo would have been better alternative to Luke McCowan | OneFootball

After witnessing Luke McCowan’s display in Linz, it beggars belief that Celtic allowed Bernardo go out on loan…

August 25, 2025, Oberoesterreich Arena Linz, AUT, Champions League Playoff, LASK Linz AUT vs. Celtic Glasgow FC SCO pictured: Christoph Lang LASK vs. Luke McCowan Celtic Glasgow in the Champions League Playoff, LASK Linz AUT vs. Celtic Glasgow FC SCO in Linz, Austria, on August 25, 2026 Linz, Upper Austria, Austria. Photo IMAGO

Every single player who was on the park during our capitulation in Linz last night was culpable for our failure, with none of them being exempt from criticism, in what was one of the worst, if not the most disastrous European result in our club’s unbroken history.

One player in particular has been subjected to a huge percentage of that backlash and that’s Luke McCowan.

The former Dundee man only entered proceedings as a 71st minute substitute, replacing Mika Baur, but was culpable in our downfall, with his persistent 19 losses of possession and his slack play causing of the killer fifth goal LASK goal.

Luke McCowan of Celtic reacts after the match LASK v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Raiffeisen Arena, Linz, Austria – 25 Aug 2026Linz Raiffeisen Arena. Photo Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock IMAGO

To put it bluntly, and politely, Luke was absolutely powderpuff, and didn’t look like he belonged anywhere near this level of football It was an embarrassing display from the 28 year old who today delated his social media account on Instagram due to the backlash from angry supporters.

It’s only a game at the end of the day, but such is the life in the Glasgow goldfish bowl and supporters do have the right to have their say but only if the line is not crossed. As long as the criticism stays constructive, then he just has to take it, as it’s just part and parcel of being a Celtic player.

And with Luke being a lifelong Celtic supporter, knows this better than most of his teammates what it means to Celtic supporters after watching that disgrace like that last night.

Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic and Luke McCowan of Celtic. LASK v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Raiffeisen Arena, Linz, Austria – 25 Aug 2026Linz Raiffeisen Arena: Photo Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock

Luke McCowan’s dreadful performance also once again makes the decision to allow Paulo Bernardo leave on a season long loan, look even more ridiculous. The former Portuguese under 21 skipper was ideal for these situations, and was the calm and composed figure we were missing last night.

Paulo Bernardo celebrates scoring. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, McDiarmid Park, Perth, 28 September 2024 Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Paulo who had experienced playing in European competition, with both Benfica, and Celtic, and would have been ideal to call upon on when the pressure was fully on. He was also the Portugal U21 captain for a number of years so was clearly more experienced playing football at an elite level than the uncapped McCowan.

Bernardo’s appearance from the bench in the Scottish cup quarter final win against the Rangers at Ibrox back in March being an example of his ability to control the midfield in high pressure situations.

Paulo Bernardo of Celtic in action against AC Milan during Celtic v AC Milan in a pre-season friendly at Celtic Park on July 25, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Paulo is a player who is comfortable playing on the European stage, and the decision to let him go is even more baffling after last night’s disaster.

The home grown quota required by UEFA means that Celtic’s failure to secure the best of the upcoming Scottish talent in recent years finally caught up with us last night as we relied on McCowan, Tony Ralston and Dane Murray coming from the bench.

LASK vs Celtic LINZ,AUSTRIA,25.AUG.26 – SOCCER – UEFA Champions League, play-off, Linzer ASK vs Celtic Glasgow. Image shows Joao Tornich LASK and Luke McCowan Celtic. Photo GEPA pictures Christian Moser IMAGO

In football you do actually reap what you sow. That’s on Celtic and not Luke McCowan.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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