Celtic's Midfield Struggles: Bernardo Sidelined for Five Weeks, Forrest Back in Training

Celtic faces a midfield challenge as Paulo Bernardo is out for five weeks due to an ankle injury, while James Forrest resumes training after a foot injury.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that midfielder Paulo Bernardo will be out of action for up to five weeks due to an ankle injury. The Portugal Under-21 international sustained the injury during last weekend's Scottish Cup victory over Raith Rovers, which also kept him out of the crucial 2-1 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League play-offs.

Player Updates:

  • Paulo Bernardo: The young midfielder is expected to miss several weeks of action, including crucial matches in both the Scottish Premiership and the Champions League. "Paulo will be out for a few weeks. He's got his ankle in a boot, so maybe four or five weeks," said Rodgers. "He's done great for us this season, but unfortunately, he's out for a little while."

  • James Forrest: On a positive note, winger James Forrest has returned to training after recovering from a foot injury sustained during the League Cup final win against Rangers in December. While Forrest is not yet ready for first-team action, his return to running is a promising sign for the squad.

Upcoming Challenges: With Bernardo sidelined, Rodgers will face challenges in rotating his midfield for the upcoming Scottish Premiership match against Dundee United and the second leg of the Champions League tie against Bayern Munich. "There are some positions that we'll freshen up," Rodgers stated. "The turnaround is so fast, and we know we'll have to be at a real high level physically for that game."

Managing Fatigue: Rodgers emphasized the importance of managing fatigue, especially with Celtic competing on multiple fronts. "Every game is important here. It's been a real unrelenting schedule, but the players have been brilliant," he added. "They know that dealing with fatigue comes with playing for a club that is competing for multiple trophies."

Looking Ahead: As Celtic prepares for a critical period in their season, the return of Forrest and the depth of the squad will be crucial. The team must maintain their physical and mental sharpness to continue their pursuit of silverware in both domestic and European competitions.

What to Read Next

Cristhian Mosquera Set to Strengthen Arsenal's Defense Ahead of Pre-Season Tour
Football

Cristhian Mosquera Set to Strengthen Arsenal's Defense Ahead of Pre-Season Tour

Cristhian Mosquera is set to join Arsenal's pre-season tour in Singapore, adding depth to their defense as they finalize his transfer from Valencia.

Wafcon 2024: DR Congo's Return Sparks Hope Amidst Conflict
Football

Wafcon 2024: DR Congo's Return Sparks Hope Amidst Conflict

DR Congo's return to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations brings hope to a nation torn by conflict, as players and fans unite for a moment of joy.

Premier League Transfer Buzz: Arsenal Targets Hugo Ekitike Amidst Intense Competition
Football

Premier League Transfer Buzz: Arsenal Targets Hugo Ekitike Amidst Intense Competition

Arsenal joins the race to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, amidst interest from top clubs and key player movements in the Premier League.

England's Thrilling Penalty Shootout Victory Captivates 7.4 Million Viewers in Euro 2025 Quarter-Final
Football

England's Thrilling Penalty Shootout Victory Captivates 7.4 Million Viewers in Euro 2025 Quarter-Final

England's dramatic penalty shootout win against Sweden in the Euro 2025 quarter-final drew a peak TV audience of 7.4 million, setting up a semi-final clash with Italy.

Ederson Reaffirms Commitment to Manchester City Amid Transfer Rumors
Football

Ederson Reaffirms Commitment to Manchester City Amid Transfer Rumors

Ederson dismisses transfer rumors, reaffirms his future at Manchester City, and discusses his contributions to the club's success.

Rangers Secure Gassama Transfer as Propper Nears Exit: A Summer of Strategic Moves
Football

Rangers Secure Gassama Transfer as Propper Nears Exit: A Summer of Strategic Moves

Rangers finalize the transfer of Djeidi Gassama from Sheffield Wednesday while Robin Propper considers an exit, shaping a dynamic summer for the club.

Gabriel Vows Arsenal's Redemption: A New Era of Triumph After Title Slips
Football

Gabriel Vows Arsenal's Redemption: A New Era of Triumph After Title Slips

Gabriel Magalhaes believes Arsenal is poised for a transformative season, aiming to reclaim lost titles with strategic signings and renewed focus.

Sean Longstaff Transfers to Leeds United: A New Chapter Begins
Football

Sean Longstaff Transfers to Leeds United: A New Chapter Begins

Sean Longstaff joins Leeds United from Newcastle in a £12m deal, marking a significant shift in his football career.

Chloe Kelly Returns to Arsenal: A New Chapter for the Gunners
Football

Chloe Kelly Returns to Arsenal: A New Chapter for the Gunners

Chloe Kelly rejoins Arsenal, aiming to bring more trophies to North London after a successful loan spell.

Manchester United Aims to Host the 2035 Women's World Cup Final in New £2bn Stadium
Football

Manchester United Aims to Host the 2035 Women's World Cup Final in New £2bn Stadium

Manchester United plans to host the 2035 Women's World Cup final in their new £2bn, 100,000-seater stadium, aiming to create a landmark venue for global football.

Galatasaray's Bold Move for Ederson: Premier League Transfer Buzz
Football

Galatasaray's Bold Move for Ederson: Premier League Transfer Buzz

Galatasaray targets Manchester City's Ederson, sparking a flurry of Premier League transfer activities.

Newcastle United Eyes Giorgio Scalvini: Key Transfer Targets and Deadline Drama
Football

Newcastle United Eyes Giorgio Scalvini: Key Transfer Targets and Deadline Drama

Newcastle United targets Giorgio Scalvini as their top defensive transfer, while Mikel Arteta sets a deadline for Arsenal's striker deal and Barcelona eyes Luis Diaz.

Celtic Bolsters Defense with Japanese Talent Hayato Inamura
Football

Celtic Bolsters Defense with Japanese Talent Hayato Inamura

Celtic secures Japanese centre-back Hayato Inamura on a four-year deal, enhancing their defensive lineup with promising talent.

Ivan Dolcek: The Fearless Winger Boosts Dundee United's Ambitions
Football

Ivan Dolcek: The Fearless Winger Boosts Dundee United's Ambitions

Ivan Dolcek joins Dundee United on loan, bringing his fearless ball-carrying skills and technical prowess to the Scottish Premiership.

Transfer Talks Intensify: Man Utd's Mbeumo Deal Hits Snag as Liverpool and Newcastle Make Moves
Football

Transfer Talks Intensify: Man Utd's Mbeumo Deal Hits Snag as Liverpool and Newcastle Make Moves

Manchester United's pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo stalls as Brentford raises the price, while Liverpool and Newcastle United make significant moves in the transfer market.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.