Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou and attacker Jota have made it clear they aren’t going to definitively discuss the player’s long-term future on multiple occasions, but it doesn’t stop the media from trying their hardest to get a substantial answer out of them.
In fact, Jota gave a polite answer on BBC Radio Scotland about the subject over the weekend, which of course didn’t really tell us much about what his intentions are.
He’s being placed in an awkward situation with this constant questioning. We’d love to think the romance of enjoying life at Celtic and working under Postecoglou would see him sign on the dotted line immediately, but this is modern football and it doesn’t work like that.
Both Jota and Celtic would be silly to rush into something too soon. The player will rightly assess his options and make a decision on his plans with the full picture available to him much later on in the season. The club likewise.
Today at his press conference, released in conjunction with his player of the month award for October, Jota was reduced to laughter in response to getting the same question yet again, before giving another diplomatic response. You can see the press event on the club’s official YouTube channel.
Even after that, a second reporter persisted with the line of questioning about a permanent move.
Personally, I reckon it’s time to put these kinds of questions to bed and acknowledge that Celtic aren’t going to comment on this in a significant fashion until there’s something to announce.
There is not much more to glean from the answers beyond, yes, Jota is enjoying life in Glasgow and, no, he isn’t going to sign a deal in front of assembled journalists.
Let the winger get on with the business of enjoying his football and effectively performing for Celtic. We can worry about the business side of things down the line.
In other news, “I’m loving it”; Celtic boss Ange can’t keep the smile off his face in perfect Open Goal interview.
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