Everything that Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo said ahead of the Scottish Premiership match against Aberdeen at Parkhead


How have the last two weeks been for you?

They have been good. I was away with the national team. We qualified for the Euros next summer so that was nice.

How do you feel the atmosphere is here winning all your league games so far?

It's been amazing. The group is very strong and the atmosphere here among the group is really good. I think we are a lot stronger when we are together. We are together and that shows on the pitch. We are a team that stays together on and off the pitch.

You were really successful last season. Do you feel that you can achieve even more this season?

Yeah, for sure. I think working hard always pays off. I think I have been very good this season and I want to keep going and keep the consistency.

How much are you relishing the battle for places in the midfield? Does that bring your levels up?

We have great players in those positions and it is really good to have this level of competition in the team as we grow in the training much faster if you have competition for places. It's really good to be training with all these players.

How much has being with the Portuguese under-21 international team improved you as a player for when you come back?

I have a chance to play so it is one more game in the legs, so it is nice. To play for the national team is great and I feel very proud of that. I think we did very well in the campaign and we are now in the Euros. I feel good to go and to win the games.

Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't too happy after the Scotland game. Did you manage to see any of that match?

I had a game the same day so I did not see too much. I saw the videos after, and he was mad. It is normal as he wants to win.


Read more:

It is a top-of-the-table clash with Aberdeen coming up. How excited are the players by that fixture and what would a win do for Celtic in terms of continuing momentum against a team who are right by your side at the moment?

They are doing very well. I think they are a very good team this year. I think it will be a great match to play in and to watch. They are a good team but we want to win every game. I think they want to win too. It will be a great game and it is a great opportunity to step up as a team.

Do you think this will be your toughest test of the season, domestically so far?

I don't know. Sometimes we can make the games look easy but the games are always tough. It starts zero-zero but it can be hard. It may look easy but it is not. It will not be easy for us. The best team will win.

Celtic have a great record against Aberdeen as they are unbeaten in 25 matches against them. Does that give you confidence that you can keep this run going and get the victory on Saturday?

Every game is a game. We have to make this game special. We will do everything to win.

What's the challenge when you come back from playing international football to not much preparation for a game like this?

It is different playing for the national team than playing for Celtic. It is two different coaches and two different approaches. We need to turn the ship and play again like the coach wants.

On a personal level, having qualified for the Euros next summer you will go into this game with confidence now, won't you?

The good moments always give you confidence. The more good moments that you have then the more confident you will be. Consistency is the key to that.

Aberdeen have Duk back in their team. Is he somebody you know from back home and have you played with him at all?

Yes, I was in Benfica with him. We played together for two or three years. I feel happy for him to get back.

He looks like a player who can cause problems. Is that how you remember him?

I loved to play with him because he scored a lot of goals in my team. I know he is a great player and can score here as well. He can cause problems.

Is he someone you've spoken to often before games?

I have not spoken to him much but I like to watch him play to see if things are going well with him or not.