Paulo Bernardo on Jota’s good start and ‘Perfect Captain’ Calmac | OneFootball

Paulo Bernardo praises his countryman, friend and Celtic teammate Jota and his ‘perfect captain’ Callum McGregor…

Paulo Bernardo with Jota. Motherwell v Celtic, 2nd February 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou

The pair were together at Benfica during their rise through the youth system at the Estadio da Luz, before both sought pastures new and that place was Celtic Park. Of course, both men joined at separate times in their respective careers, with Jota initially joining on loan in the summer of 2021 and likewise, Paulo joined on a temporary basis back in 2023.

Celtic’s two Portuguese stars

However, despite the short-term deals which brought both players to Paradise, they both showed qualities in that time to earn full-time contracts at the Scottish Premiership Champions and convinced the heirarchy to shell out significant money. Jota, as we know, moved to Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad when Brendan Rodgers first arrived back at the club during that same summer that Bernardo went on to join late in.

That was one which never went according to plan and after a whirlwind turn of events, saw him end up back home in Scotland this January. This felicitous circumstance has allowed the two Portuguese players to wind up playing in the hoops at the same time, which nobody would have seen coming until very recently. Not that the Celtic supporters will mind though, as both men have been proving their worth time and time again in the Hoops.

Paulo Bernardo of Celtic is seen during the UEFA Champions League training on January 28, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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Jota has only been back for a short time

Jota has only been back for a short time, but is already beginning to rediscover the form and flair that caused Celtic to shell out £6.5 million for him in the winter window. A bargain at twice the price. With four goals and two assists to his name in just a handful of games, Jota on the wing is not taking his time to get back up to speed like his manager had stated when he returned, instead opting for the quickstyle trunaround in a Celtic shirt.

Paulo Bernardo took some time to praise his friend and even stated that he will be different class once he’s fully up to speed next season for the Bhoys.

Jota of Celtic celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

‘He feels much better now than he was when he arrived’

“Jota has already shown a lot of quality during these games,” he said via Daily Record. “I spoke to him and he feels much better now than he was when he arrived. I think he’s really important to the squad. At his age I think there is more to come from him and he came here to show that too.

“He wants to show his quality and he is doing really well at the moment. He’s working hard at Lennoxton every day. I think the best will come from him.”

Paulo Bernardo during the Premier Sports Cup Final between Celtic and theRangers at Hampden on Sunday 15 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Speaking in the mother tongue helps both as it does Daizen and Reo

It’s not just the player’s abilities for Paulo, but his mother tongue, as he now has someone to speak Portuguese with regularly outside of his own home. “It means I can speak Portuguese here, and not just with my girlfriend! It’s been nice to have him back. He’s a fantastic footballer and I think he improves the levels in our squad and our strength in many ways. It’s really nice to have him here,” the midfielder said.

When asked more specifically about Jota’s skillset and that superb ability to glide last players with ease, he agreed that he definitely brings that something special in the team.

Jota of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on February 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“That’s true,” Paulo continued. “He goes one-on-one with defenders. For them it’s hard to know when he goes or when he stays with the ball. It’s difficult to know. Jota likes the pressure and he likes to take risks, to go at defenders and to see where he can go. He has a strong mentality too, because it’s not easy to come back to a place that he was so good at.

“You risk it to come back and to see if he can do better. He shows a strong mentality to come back and to see what he can do.”

Paulo Bernardo and Dan Casey during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park, on 26th December 2024. (Picture by Mark Runnacles)

The engine-room operator returned back to the pitch last weekend against Hearts, after several weeks out following an injury sustained in a match with Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup this year. He’s itching to get back and help the team to potentially secure a domestic Treble, whilst he has the U21 Euros with his country as vice-captain this summertime too.

Paulo Bernardo of Celtic leaves the pitch injured during the Scottish Cup match between Celtic FC and Raith Rovers FC at Celtic Park on February 08, 2025 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“It’s better than last summer! It’s a short holiday but that doesn’t bother me”

“It’s nice to know how things will go. It’s better than last summer! It’s a short holiday but that doesn’t bother me. It’s the Euros and I want to be involved. I want to play in the tournament again. I played the Euros before and it was a great experience,” Bernardo said.

Paulo Bernardo during friendly match, Slovakia U21, U 21 – Portugal U21 , 18 November 2024, Stadium na Sihoti, Trencin, Slovakia Photo MICHAL FAJT,ZOSPORTU.SK

“I was one of the youngest, now I’m one of the oldest. It will be nice to have that experience too. I am really looking forward to the tournament. It’s a good opportunity for me and the team.

“We’ll have three games in the group stage. I want to finish the season well and then think about the Euros. These will be my final games with the Portugal Under-21 team and it would mean a lot to me to have success with them. Let’s see where it takes us.

“Hopefully we can do well. We have France, Poland and Georgia in the group. It will be difficult but we hope to do well.”

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Paulo Bernardo returns. Photo Celtic FC

On that note, the Portuguese player insisted he takes inspiration from his club skipper, Callum McGregor, whenever he captains the U21 side.

“I am the vice captain but I have led the team in some recent games,” Paulo explained. “As a captain I try to lead by example. I say positive things to my team-mates. But if they are not doing well, if they are not doing things for the team, I’ll say to them too. I try to lead by example and try to help them.

Callum McGregor of Celtic celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on February 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“For sure, I have learned from the guys here. Callum is a great leader. He’s the perfect captain for every team. When he has to say something, he says it. When he wants to show something, he shows how to do it on the pitch. Callum doesn’t need to scream at people. We know the message he wants to pass on.

“It’s nice to have him on the team and to learn with him.”

Paul Gillespie

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