Celtic winger, Jota, has insisted that Ange Postecoglou’s side will treat every remaining game like a Champions League fixture this season after our frustrating exit from the competition.
The 23-year-old has been missing from action in recent weeks from the Bhoys Scottish Premiership, Champions League and Premier Sports cup matches due to an injury.
Jota has been a huge contributor to Ange Postecoglou’s side this campaign. So, of course, it was a blow to see him missing for some big games.
However, supporters were left buzzing to see the winger mark his return from injury against Livingston at the Tony Macaroni arena.
Not only that, but Jota was able to get himself on the scoresheet in the second half, and he looked delighted to be back celebrating amongst the Celtic support.
Although the former Benfica man has now made his return, he will still need a bit of time to build up to full fitness once again.
However, Jota has insisted that he is raring to go ahead of the Bhoys’ trip to take on Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, and he is eyeing up another good performance and a shock result over the current European champions.
The winger also insisted that the squad will treat every remaining game this season like a Champions League fixture, showcasing the attitude of Ange Postecoglou and his squad.
He said [Sun Sport]: “It’s not a question for me; it’s one for the gaffer (over his fitness). But if he’s ready to put me in, I’m ready to fight for him and the club.
“I think the quality has been there in every game we’ve played in Europe, and people who understand football can see that. The guys are playing well, there are just some details we’re not getting.
“In the Champions League, you pay a very high price if you’re not on it in every game. I think there’s always a determination in these games, but our aim for the rest of the season is to play every Premiership game as if it’s a Champions League game.
“We need to remind ourselves that we want to be better every day. And in order to do that, we just need to think as though it could be our last game. That’s the mentality we have to have.
“Every game is a good stage. You’re always under evaluation from your coach, from other teams, from your previous teams, from Celtic, everyone.
“You just need to be as consistent as possible. It was a very important moment for me to come back from injury and score, but most of all, it was about the victory for the team.
“This was a game we knew was going to be very difficult. It’s like that every time we come here, so I was very happy to get the win. In football, you have to be ready for situations when you have an injury.
“Every game is a good stage. You’re always under evaluation from your coach, from other teams, from your previous teams, from Celtic, everyone.
“Although we can be professional, some injuries come up because we can’t control everything. So when there are these setbacks, we just need to fight back to get better every day and aim for the future.”
Real Madrid outing the perfect opportunity for Jota to showcase his quality whilst rebuilding fitness.
With a player of Jota’s quality, in any normal circumstance, Ange Postecoglou would be likely to name him in the majority of his starting line-ups.
However, after only just returning from injury, the Celtic boss may be reluctant to hand him a start right away.
But Wednesday’s visit to Real Madrid seems like the perfect opportunity.
After already exciting the competition, the Hoops face a final ‘dead-rubber’ fixture. But it could be the perfect opportunity for Jota to showcase his quality against a top side whilst also rebuilding his match fitness.
During his short cameo against Livingston, it didn’t look as though the winger had lost any of his sharpness. However, I am sure Postecoglou will be keen to see one of his star players return to full-match fitness.
Jota is clearly an influential presence within the Parkhead dressing room. So, it is great to hear him come out with these sorts of comments, stating that the Bhoys will be treating every game the exact same way.
Here’s hoping we can see the full effects of that mentality and Jota’s full return from injury on Wednesday as we face off against the current holders of this competition in their own backyard.
In other news, Celtic eyeing up move for ‘priority’ position as club braces for transfer interest.
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