Celtic supporters will have to wait until next season before they see January signing Jota back to his best, according to former Celtic star Stiliyan Petrov…
Celtic’s Superstar from Portugal
Our Superstar from Portugal ended his footballing exile in Saudi Arabia and then France when he returned to Paradise after frustrating spells at both Al-Ittihad and Rennes. Great for the bank balance as Jota is now set up for life financially but it’s his love of football that will shine through at Celtic.
Brendan Rodgers was keen to work with Jota on his return to the club in Jane 2023 after Ange Postecoglou was lured south by Tottenham Hotspur. Jota too had an offer he couldn’t refuse and neither could Celtic. But the incoming Celtic manager got his chance as Jota’s struggles at Rennes opened the door for a Paradise return for a player that the Celtic support adores.
Nice work if you can get it – for Jota and Celtic
Celtic sold Jota for over £25m and 18 months later bought him back for £8m , nice work if you can get it. And Jota has hit the ground running back at his old stomping ground with three goals and numerous assists but Petrov is probably right in his assessment that Jota’s just warning up and once he’s had a full pre-season under his belt, we’ll see the best side of the player next season.
Speaking to The Sunday Post (print edition) the former Celtic midfielder said: “It’s been a very positive campaign for Celtic. Domestically, they are close to winning it all and they also made strides in the Champions League.
‘Brendan wants his team to play entertaining football’
“Some of the performances in Europe were outstanding and everyone felt very proud of Celtic. Brendan wants his team to play entertaining football and also winning football.
“It’s not always easy to deliver both but Celtic have done so in the past nine months. They have good options in the squad and bringing back Jota in January was a real positive. Jota will get better and better and he will make a massive contribution next season.
‘The Celtic supporters love him’
“The Celtic supporters love him and there is a really strong relationship there. It’s a great feeling being able to give the Celtic supporters success.
“They back the team and it’s great to see them so happy. The next few weeks may well be very special for everyone at Celtic and you need to really enjoy success when it comes along. These are special moments to be cherished.”
Jota will revel in the season run-in
Jota of course will revel in the season run-in with the chance of glory in the Scottish Premiership and at Hampden in the Scottish Cup where first St Johnstone and then if that goes well Hearts or Aberdeen in the final. Jota bowed out the first time around at Celtic after scoring it the 2023 Scottish Cup Final win over Inverness Caley Thistle.
He’d love nothing more than to get the winner in the 2025 showpiece at Hampden. That would be a very Jota thing to do!
