Jota makes interesting Celtic ‘A game’ statement as winger reflects on Parkhead return

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Jota has hit the ground running at Celtic as though he’s never been away.

The winger did leave for Al-Ittihad before Ligue 1 side Rennes would eventually sell him back to the Hoops which represented incredible value for money for the Scottish Premiership giants.

He has already repaid Brendan Rodgers‘ faith in him and Jota cried on his Celtic return having scored against Motherwell, but it was more about feeling at home again after years in the wilderness.

• READ MORE: Celtic and Brendan Rodgers told to sign ‘excellent’ Dundee player who is out of contract this summer

Jota urges Celtic to bring ‘A-game’ for rest of season

The playmaker is in line for another league title as well as the Scottish Cup if Celtic can make it happen and Jota wants to ensure he and his teammates bring their “A-game” for the rest of the campaign.

“Thrilled about that,” Jota told Celtic TV when asked about the final run-in on the club’s calendar.

“I think obviously the guys fought really hard in the first six months of the season and then I joined in the middle, so they did a great job and that allowed us now to be in a very good position. So we go strong for the last matches.

“This is a moment where we have to pull out our ‘A-game’ but it’s a process.

“We’ve had to do it in the past in order to be in this place at the moment, but definitely we feel like we are walking towards our goal, and now is the time to give it that last push.”

Jota has been patiently brought back by Rodgers with the manager refusing to fully rush him into action with match fitness lacking early on.

What Jota says about Daizen Maeda’s Celtic form

But with the attacker back on a weekly basis, that has allowed Daizen Maeda to flourish up front and score goals as Maeda chases Celtic records.

Jota had only good things to say about his pal who hit 30 goals for the season in Celtic’s 3-0 win over Hearts where the Superstar from Portugal was the other scorer.

“Every season is different and the team is made for us to be the best version of ourselves,” Jota added. “Obviously, if everyone is doing their own bit then it’s going to allow other players to shine.

“And with Daizen I think that was the case. The team is putting him in very good positions to score and he’s doing a very good job on making it, and fighting really hard for the team, so credit to him.”