Jota - Welcome Home!

What a guy, what a player.

Loved his response to that question about winners mentality as well.

Guy came through at Benfica, one of the biggest clubs in the world.

 

What’s probably surprised me most is how much he loves being here and getting involved with the fans. Most players will come and enjoy it but with one eye on their next move to a bigger league.

Jota seems like he’s more than happy to keep pushing with this team for another few years, genuinely exciting times.

 

The phrase "living your best life" is sometimes overused, however with Jota you just feel he really is!

Absolutely adore the boy.

 

Tillman over Jota is a complete joke. Whoever picked this needs their head checked.

 

I think it's voted by players.

 

Tilman over Jota what the *.

 

That'll be Jota away anaw noo.

 

Tillman, Duk and van Veen all in ahead of him . He's only the most talented and skillful player in the league after all. Don't worry wee man you'll always be in our hearts.

 

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez reckons Jota has found a home at Celtic Park - and revealed he's keeping close tabs on the winger.

Talented Jota's career has taken off since he arrived at Parkhead, initially on loan, before completing a £6.5million move from Benfica last summer. The 24-year-old has become a huge fans' favourite and starred in the Champions League, netting two goals in four games - including a stunning free-kick away to Real Madrid.




His sensational form has put him on the radar of international boss Martinez, who watched the attacker dump Rangers out of the Scottish Cup with a match-winning header at Hampden. Jota has played at every under-age level for Portugal, but has never been capped by the senior side. He was included in the provisional 2022 World Cup squad by former head coach Fernando Santos, although he eventually missed out on a ticket to Qatar.




However, the Celtic star's international aspirations have been given a major shot in the arm by new manager Martinez, who waxed lyrical over the skillful forward. Asked if he was keeping tabs on Jota, Martinez said: “Yeah, absolutely. I think obviously Jota is a player that is very important for the national team in terms of the qualities that he has. He is a player that has this natural knack of beating players in a one vs one situation.

“So he's a player that since I arrived in January, as you can imagine, there's been a lot of information. I tried to follow as many players, in fact, all the players, and clearly Jota is one of them.

“What I would say is that his evolution has been very impressive. I would say that the last four months especially he is growing into a very mature role at his club. He's always involved in the big moments, and that's important.


The stats that we have from him, they are very impressive, not just in the Scottish league, but in the Champions League. When you're looking at measuring a player in that natural gift of taking players on, it's very interesting to see it in different levels.


It's quite interesting that Jota actually has probably a bigger percentage in the Champions League than what he has in the Scottish Premiership, and that's something that we always follow very closely.

“Then the other aspect is obviously there's a lot of competition for places in that role, we have players that have been playing big games for their clubs for a long time now.




But for us, he is very much a player that we appreciate what he can bring to the national team and we appreciate the form he is in."

Jota's pathway into the international set-up is currently blocked by an array of superstars including Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix and Rafael Leao. But if the wide man continues to progress and perform, especially on the European stage, then it may only be a matter of time before Martinez hands him a dream call-up.


Speaking at the 26th annual Beatson Sporting Dinner, which raised almost £140k, Martinez added: “It's about being consistent. Wide players, players that can make the difference, they rely on the service, they rely on how their team plays.

“I think what has been very good is that he’s been very consistent with this role. Obviously, you're talking about that position we have players like Joao Felix, Rafael Leao. The position is a big one in terms of competition for places, but he's evolved immensely.

“When I look back at his time at Benfica and he had his time in Spain, I think he's found home. I think he really suits Celtic and I think it'll be very interesting how he develops in the next few months.”

Former Belgium boss Martinez - who was appointed to the Portugal hotseat in January - reckons Jota is reaching new heights due to the style of football under Ange Postecoglou




Asked if Angeball makes it easier for Jota to adapt to the national team, he said: “Totally. I think obviously that's important. Every player fits into a way of playing. The way Celtic are playing, they rely on players with natural talent that can make the difference, that they can take the advantage.


When you can see the confidence that Jota is playing at the moment, then he can come up with moments like the goal against Rangers, a header, that's very unusual! He's just been in the right place at the right time and I think it shows you that he's playing with confidence.

“That is down to the environment that the manager has created. It is the perfect environment for Jota to carry on developing.”

 

Fair assessment by martinez there. Another manager who likes to play good football. Spot on when he says jota has found a home here. He came here as a 22 year old with potential....now he is, imo, mature beyond his years. He isn't some money chasing, locker room, prima donna jackass. Very intelligent. Very humble. And.....he loves it here. I can't mind any time really any of the foreign bhoys going out there way so much to educate and immerse themselves into celtic. I mean...he was in the brazen head ffs. An iconic boozer.

Plus...when he plays he never (or rarely) tries to be a I'm the man. I'm going for all the glory. Don't get me wrong sometimes he can fluff it like no other. But he is a team player...and you can tell when kyogo came back..and when jota himself came back...they've got this unreal understanding...moreso when jota is on the left. Shame abada got injured. Those 3 on top form are unreal. Jota has also added some cajones to his game. Plays much more aggressive now and just oozes class and also....oozes the celtic way..

I need to stop now or else my stoogey may need emergency services.
Love the guy..