Stats show allowing Paul Bernardo to leave Celtic was a serious error

Stats show allowing Paul Bernardo to leave Celtic was a serious errorStats show that letting Paul Bernardo leave on loan in the summer was a serious mistake by Martin O’Neill…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)Celtic supporters were more than a little surprised by the decision to let Portuguese midfielder Paulo Bernardo leave on loan during the summer, and it now looks as if Martin O’Neill might be rueing the decision to let the midfielder go.Bernardo is impressing at Gornik ZabrzeThe former Portuguese under 21 skipper joined Polish top flight side Gornik Zabrze on a one year loan deal as Martin O’Neill shuffled his pack to make room for his new additions, some of whom never arrived.Whilst Martin swooped to bring in the talented Mika Baur in a £6 million move from Paderborn, with the German international now taking his place in the Irishman’s preferred midfield trio alongside Callum McGregor, and Benjamin Nygren, fringe players such as Luke McCowan and loan arrival Oliver Sorensen have continually failed to impress.Paulo Bernardo of Celtic FC during the Sporting CP v Celtic FC Pre-Season Friendly match at Estadio Algarve on July 14, 2026 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)Polish side playing Paulo as a number eightPaulo Bernardo has been featuring consistently in his natural number eight midfield role for Gornik, rather than as a holding player like he was at Celtic last term.Paulo Bernardo seen during PKO BP Ekstraklasa – Matchday 3 season 26 27 game between teams of Radomiak Radom and Gornik Zabrze Jan Borys / Ball Raw Images Radom Stadion Braci Czachorow Poland. Photo: Jan BorysHe has registered two assists in 14 appearances for the club up to now, helping them to second in the Polish Ekstraklasa as it stands, just a point behind table-toppers Lech Poznan.Bernardo has been a standout in his last three appearances in particular, with three chances created in their recent draw against Piast Gliwice, as well as two more in their last outing against Widzew Lodz, while he also made the most ball recoveries (9) of any player on the pitch last Friday.08.08.2026, Radom Mecz PKO Ekstraklasa sezon 2026/27 Radomiak Radom – Gornik Zabrze – Football Match Polish Top League Radomiak Radom – Gornik Zabrze Nz. Paulo Bernardo Fot. Michal Chwieduk/Arena Akcji/NEWSPIX.PL — newspix.plBernardo a leader in key metricsHe is a leader for several key metrics among midfielders in the league so far, with 3.59 touches in the opposition box per 90, just 0.93 goals conceded per 90 while he is on the pitch and 0.21 non-penalty xG per 90.With a new manager almost certainly arriving at Celtic Park next summer, and Bernardo still contracted to the club until 2029, could a second chance await him on his return to Glasgow?One to keep an eye on.Just an Ordinary BhoyHAVE YOUR SAY – Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below…KNOW YOUR HISTORY – SPECIAL OFFER ON CELTIC IN THE THIRTIESThe Perfect Gift-for Celtic Da’s – Get both books for just £20 plus P&P. Order now over at our bookstore – Celticstarbooks.com – CLICK ON IMAGE ABOVE TO ORDERCeltic in the Fifties Volumes One and Two. Available now from celticstarbooks.com – click on image to orderQuick Tip –Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!CELTIC STAR BOOKS – We’ve covered three decades so far with more to follow…Christmas shopping ideas from Celtic Star Books. Click on image to shop