Jota’s late goal against Livingston in a 3-0 Celtic win today not only put the points beyond any doubt but also re-ignited his love affair with the Celtic supporters.
The Portuguese winger had an electric start to the season, scoring four goals and assisting five times in his first eight league matches. Then he was subbed off against St Johnstone in early October with an apparent muscle injury and had been waiting patiently to get the all-clear since.
Today, that moment arrived, and he instantly demonstrated why he is considered to be one of the best players in the country, timing a delicious run to arrive on the end of David Turnbull’s low cross. He then rushed towards the Celtic support and shared in the love, captured superbly by photographer Vagelis Georgariou.
Jota has had a few famous celebrations with the fans, often revelling in the passionate response he gets from the stands. Today it was different generations of the Celtic support sharing their adulation in a fantastically wholesome moment.
The attacker is now likely to play a prominent role in the Bhoys’ remaining three domestic fixtures prior to the World Cup break, even if Wednesday’s match against Real Madrid comes too soon to start.
If we can get him back to a peak before the squad trips to Australia and Portugal, he should be one of the players who benefit most from a break from regular match action as others head off to represent their countries.
That will set him up very well for the second half of the season which is a little kinder from a schedule perspective.
He’s already shown he can consistently punish domestic rivals and having his kind of attacking spark in the team will be massive in the push for trophies.
In other news, Aaron Mooy is starting to prove the doubters wrong at Celtic.
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