Celtic’s weekend hero, with a late goal alongside a stunning assist against Ross County on Sunday, has been told by former Celtic stalwart Peter Grant, that more money may be on offer at other clubs but no where but Celtic will Jota find the adulation he’ll receive from the Parkhead faithful.
Speaking to Go Radio, Grant was keen to insist his message is for any player at Celtic and not just Celtic’s superstar from Portugal, when he says Jota would be hard pushed to find what money doesn’t buy you in football anywhere else other than Paradise.
“He has got to remember there are not many places who will love him the way he has been loved. “He has got 60,000 people that sing his name. “The only way he is leaving is for money. Nothing else. “He won’t get the adulation anywhere else.
“I don’t care where he goes, he’ll not get the same adulation anywhere. And a lot of them should remember that.”
“I know it is not the best league in Europe, but the one thing it does give you is great adulation and nowhere else you’ll get it like it in the world.”
While there have been solid sources to suggest a deal for Cameron Carter-Vickers is very much a possibility, there has been little of note to suggest Jota may be about to sign on at Celtic as a permanent arrangement, though it must be said both manager and the player himself were keen to point out at the weekend that with a title race in full swing their focus is very much on the here and now and nothing else – and rightly so.
But just in case Jota needs reminding of what he’s got at Celtic and what he’d struggle to find anywhere else, Peter Grant’s message that there is, even in this day and age, more to football than your weekly pay packet, is a nice wee reminder from someone who has been there done it and experienced what it’s like at other clubs too.
After all a club like Celtic and the support you get as a Celtic player is something money simply can’t buy you – even if we don’t necessarily pay as much!
Neither Cameron Carter-Vickers or Jota have been prepared to comment on their future plans and the media certainly tried their best at the weekend to get something from Celtic’s superstar from Portugal, without any joy.
That’s possibly because that is the message that they have received from Ange Postecoglou who is determined to keep the entire focus on the team playing their football in the best possible manner and with the best possible outcome until the end of the season.
And just like at the end of last year when Celtic were fast out of the traps in the transfer window announcing three signings on a very exciting Hogmanay, don’t be surprised if both CCV and Jota are confirmed very soon after this season ends with the game against Motherwell on what is increasingly looking like trophy day in Paradise.
Niall J
