Celtic winger Jota blown away by Paradise atmosphere

By Euan Davidson

September 25, 2021

Portuguese winger Jota is loving life at Celtic, and it’s not hard to see why.

Given the freedom of either wing by Ange Postecoglou, the Benfica loanee – who Celtic can nab permanently for £6m – has been setting up goals and taking on defenders for fun. On Thursday night, he hit his first strike for Celtic, and his reaction said it all.

His knee-slide was, as he describes it, something of a reflex. Such is his admiration for the fans, he got lost in the moment.

And it’s that atmosphere the fans bring that Jota is enjoying most. Encouraged to attack relentlessly by both his manager and the Bhoys faithful, Jota is obviously feeding off the noise at Celtic Park.

He said [Scottish Sun]:

“It’s amazing, eh? I really like it. The atmosphere is very good.

“Everything that people have told me about Celtic has come true, and I just want to enjoy it as much as I can.

“Football is universal. I came here to play football and this team plays football.

“Of course, there are plenty of differences between the places I’ve been like last year in Spain, or in Portugal the last few years. But I just need to adapt and enjoy the football.

“I think you guys here enjoy football a lot. I was hoping for something like that, so I’m very happy to be here.”

There’ll plenty more noise from Celtic fans if Jota continues to deliver

Something of a coup from Celtic’s perspective, Jota has immediately delivered after being brought in by Ange Postecoglou.

Tipped for a big future at Benfica, Celtic have taken advantage of a strange and ongoing saga at the Lisbon club. Despite selling over £1bn’s worth of talent over the last decade, financial irregularities are hounding the European outfit.

In July, their President was arrested [Guardian], and their financial outlook in September wasn’t overly promising [The Portugal News].

And so, Celtic have ended up with an exciting young talent that could be landed permanently for about £6m. That is, if he continues to deliver, but everything about his attitude so far suggests he will.

Adaptable, enthusiastic and with an improving end-product, Jota has shaken off a mediocre 20-21 to deliver at Paradise.

For the winger, it’s simple; he wanted to be at a club that plays good football, had an enthusiastic support, and where he’d be given opportunities.

All of those are boxes ticked. And by now, he’ll know that for every accurate cross, beaten defender or goal scored, the fans will reward him with adoration.

Read more: Callum McGregor’s commitment to Celtic shouldn’t be underrated