Celtic’s title charge is back on track under Martin O’Neill, but as the “O’Neill magic” takes hold, one star has been left in the cold. After being excluded from the squad against Livingston and failing to impress during a dismal 45-minute showing against Dundee, Paulo Bernardo’s time at Parkhead appears to be over. With January signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain already making a massive impact, the Portuguese midfielder has fallen to the bottom of the pecking order.
The Midfield Pecking Order: Oxlade-Chamberlain the New King
The arrival of “The Ox” has shifted the dynamic in Glasgow. His stoppage-time winner against Livingston showcased the world-class quality Celtic were missing. With Callum McGregor a guaranteed starter and Benjamin Nygren pulling the strings as the number ten, the battle for the final midfield spot is intense—and Bernardo is nowhere to be seen.
Celtic’s Best XI Post-January Window
Martin O’Neill now boasts a depth that Celtic fans haven’t seen in years. Here is how the strongest lineup looks heading into the final stretch of the 2025/26 season:
The Failure of Paulo Bernardo: By the Numbers
Despite the initial hype following his move from Benfica, Bernardo’s statistics this season are damning. Under three different managers—Rodgers, Nancy, and now O’Neill—the conclusion has been the same: the 24-year-old lacks the impact required for the Scottish Premiership.
A Summer Exit Looms
With seven appearances and zero goal contributions, Bernardo has failed to “take his chance” in his third season in Scotland. As O’Neill looks to trim the fat from an “errant summer of spending,” a return to Portugal or a fresh start elsewhere seems inevitable for Bernardo this summer. For Celtic, the focus is now on the “Oxlade-Chamberlain era” and chasing down Hearts at the top of the table.
Thiago Nuno is a football editor and analyst covering European leagues, match statistics, and transfer market trends.
