“I think we’ve signed two better players than we had last year. That’s why we brought them in”, Ange refutes standing still chatter…
Throughout the match today our Portuguese superstar Jota showcased just why we decided to shell out £6 million or so to secure him on a permanent transfer from Benfica. Ever the menace, he complemented Liel Abada on the opposing wing who gave the Rovers defence nightmares this afternoon.
The mercurial magic of Jota’s feet was simply superb at times when in full flow and he more than once embarrassed his counterparts on the field of play.
Having also managed to get himself on the scoresheet too, Ange was quizzed about the attacker after the match and had this to say to Celtic TV:
“There’s no ceiling to Jota’s potential. He was very good today. The attacking players rely on feeling fresh with their athleticism and their speed.
“I know people said we re-signed two players in Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers this summer. But I think we’ve signed two better players than we had last year.
“That’s why we brought them in. There’s no reason why Jota can’t go further and take his game to another level.
“Last year was probably the first season he settled somewhere. You got the sense that he felt really good at the club within this group.
“That was his first year of really making an impact. Our job is now to make sure we take him to that next level and give him that chance. He’s a really focused, ambitious guy so I’m sure he’ll do that.”
Before the season has even kicked off, we’ve had to listen to the same old tired and irrational naysayers conjuring up negative vibes around about the club.
Whilst the Ibrox tribute act are scrapping around the bottom of the barrel for bargains and loan deals, we have just extended our arm and in the blink of an eye brought it two oven-ready European level signings. A feat they could only dream of at this point.
And Ange has hit the nail on the head; both Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers are better players now than when we signed them initially on loan last August.
Having already had a year of extensive experience both in the Scottish Premiership and in the Europa League, both men are battle-hardened and will now the ropes. There is zero risk in these two bhoys joining the ranks. And it looks as if we have got them both at a snip with the resale potential sky-high.
Me detects a hint of jealousy from some quarters, no?
Watch Ange in full give his appraisal of the performance as well as his view on Jota and CCV:
Paul Gillespie