Celtic winger Jota has praised the travelling Hoops fans, after their incredible support, following the club in the Champions League this season.
The Bhoys European campaign came to an end on Wednesday evening as Ange Postecoglou’s side finished bottom of Group F.
Although Celtic failed to pick up a victory, there were still positives to take from the group stage, which saw us face off against Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk.
The performances on the park were much-improved in comparison to previous campaigns. However, the results felt like a familiar sight for the club.
There is one side of Celtic that will never let you down, and it comes from the off-the-park. We are, of course, referencing the fantastic travelling support.
No matter where the Bhoys find themselves playing across Europe, you know that the Parkhead faithful will travel in their numbers all over the continent.
And that was no different this year, with the Celtic support showcasing their brilliant credentials once again in Poland, Germany and Spain.
Although Ange Postecoglou’s side found themselves on the end of a thrashing at the Santiago Bernabeu, the travelling fans were still in full voice.
In the latter stages of the game, the fans were given a moment to celebrate as Jota stepped up and smashed a brilliant free-kick into the top corner.
With the noise made by the away section of the stadium, you would have thought that Postecoglou’s side had just levelled up the scoring rather than still being four goals down.
Speaking in the aftermath of Wednesday’s defeat, the Hoops’ only goalscorer on the night was full of praise for the Celtic supporters who have travelled across Europe to watch the players in action.
He said [PLZ Soccer]: “I think we have a responsibility throughout our club and our fan. Every game that we go on, we have to stick to our principles, but we know that ‘okay, they’ve just travelled so many miles for this game’.
“We need to fight for the club and fight for them (the supporters) as well. So that’s what we try to do every game. I think they are just different, aren’t they? The Celtic fans are unbelievable, and we are just grateful to have them.”
Jota knows exactly what each game means for the loyal Celtic support.
Jota might have only joined the club last year, and at 23 years old, the winger is also one of the younger players in the Celtic squad.
However, whenever the Portuguese under-21 international speaks, you can see how he already understands the club as a whole and our supporters, who will do anything to support their club.
On two occasions now, Jota has provided fantastic moments for the travelling European support. But I am sure he will still be slightly disappointed that both his goals in Leipzig and Madrid meant very little.
Either way, it is brilliant to see the attitude that players amongst this squad, like Jota, have towards the away fanbase. They know how much this means and are determined to do all they can to give them something to cheer.
I am sure the winger will continue to play with that brilliant attitude for the rest of the season, and fingers crossed we get another opportunity to see him in Champions League action for the club next year.
In other news, Ange Postecoglou delivers candid Celtic Champions League admission.
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