‘I can’t believe’: Jota leaves Celtic-mad pundit shocked after ……

In recent months, Celtic’s attacking lineup has been performing better than ever before, showcasing an impressive level of consistency and effectiveness on the field.

 

Not long ago, however, the supporters at Celtic Park were expressing frustration over the club’s lack of activity during the January transfer window. Kyogo Furuhashi’s departure to Rennes left a gap in the forward line, and despite the fact that the club was aware of his desire to leave months before, no replacement was brought in to fill that void. This left many fans questioning the club’s transfer strategy.

 

However, the mood around the winter transfer window was lifted when Jota made his return to the club, which undoubtedly raised spirits among the supporters. His second debut, in which he scored a goal against Motherwell, added to the optimism surrounding his comeback. Since then, Celtic’s manager Brendan Rodgers has deployed the 25-year-old Portuguese winger intermittently, even leaving him on the bench during Celtic’s recent victory over St. Mirren. This cautious approach is to ensure Jota’s fitness is managed well, given his lack of consistent playing time in recent months.

 

Jota’s minimal game time, particularly at Rennes where he accumulated just 332 minutes of action before his return to Glasgow, has not hindered his form. In fact, he has looked sharp and performed impressively despite this limited exposure. The remarkable improvement in his play has not gone unnoticed, as Celtic supporter Stephen McGinn pointed out in a recent conversation with Go Radio. McGinn, who is also the older brother of Aston Villa captain John McGinn, remarked on Jota’s surprising return to form, stating, “I can’t believe how good Jota has been,” referring to the winger’s ability to quickly adapt to the pace of the game after his long absence from regular match action.

 

McGinn praised Jota’s ability to “hit the ground running,” even though Rodgers has taken steps to protect his minutes to avoid overburdening him, especially given the sporadic nature of his playing time in recent seasons. “Genuinely, it has taken me by surprise how good he has been. Brendan Rodgers has actually tried to protect his minutes. He didn’t start the first game against Bayern, but he has just hit the ground running, and this is right up there,” McGinn added.

 

Reflecting on the broader context of Celtic’s attacking strategy, McGinn suggested that one of the reasons the team struggled in the previous season’s title race was due to the reliance on a single winger, Daizen Maeda, for much of the campaign. The team only began to resemble a true Brendan Rodgers side when James Forrest returned from injury late last season, adding further depth to the wing positions. This season, with new players like Kuhn, Maeda, and Jota, Celtic’s forward line has begun to look more balanced and potent, which bodes well for the future.

 

For Celtic and Rodgers, this resurgence in Jota’s form is excellent news, as the winger has already contributed three goals to the team’s efforts this season, including a Man of the Match performance in the victory over Dundee United. With a full pre-season under his belt and time to fully integrate into the squad, Jota’s performances are expected to reach even greater heights in the near future.

 

Fans can look forward to witnessing even more exciting displays from the talented winger as he continues to settle back into life at Celtic. For now, Jota is adding trophies to the club’s collection and providing fans with the entertainment they have come to expect from him. However, it’s clear that the best is yet to come, and Celtic supporters will eagerly anticipate what the next campaign has in store once Jota has fully regained his sharpness and fitness.