Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo refused to rule out a return to his native Portugal as the former Benfica midfielder struggles for game time.
The 24-year-old fell out of favour at Parkhead this season, averaging just over half an hour across his seventeen appearances in all competitions.
And with three and a half years left to run on his current deal, there is a possibility that the former Portugal U21’s captain may be offloaded for a fee this summer.
Bernardo told Portuguese group Sapo: “I love Portugal. For me, living in Portugal is a privilege, so it [move back] could happen.
“I don’t know what will happen, but I see it in a positive light, and I’m not closing any doors.”
The Benfica academy graduate last featured in league action when he played the whole first half of Celtic’s 2-0 defeat at Motherwell before New Year under Wilfried Nancy.
But even since the return of interim boss Martin O’Neill, the Northern Irishman has opted to use Bernardo for cup ties and and European substitute cameos.
And Bernardo himself admitted that this season has been far from plain-sailing.
“We struggled for half the season, but we’re managing to get back into the rhythm.
“Things have been going well, and I think we’re giving a good response after that more negative period.
“It’s been a somewhat complicated season, but I’ve been trying my best to fight for my place and do what I’ve done in recent seasons.”
There is a possibility that Bernardo plays a role in Celtic’s Europa League fixture tonight at home to Stuttgart, with club record signing Arne Engels out injured, and new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain unregistered.
“We’re in a good moment to face Stuttgart. German teams are quite competitive.
“They run a lot, so the game won’t be easy, and we play the first leg at home, so that might give us a bit of an advantage.”
Reports suggested that Celtic knocked back a late January window loan move from an unnamed Danish club for Bernardo, however it remains to be seen whether there is a way back in for Bernardo amid a plethora of options.
Celtic face VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park tonight in the Europa League, before another home contest against Hibernian this Sunday in the Premiership.
