Why Jota and Celtic just seem like ‘perfect’ fit

After Jota traded Rennes for Celtic and Kyogo Furuhashi switched teams last week, one question persisted was whether the Portugal international winger could replicate his form and impact from his first season at the Scottish club.

If the Jota of the past is back, his half-hour cameo in Celtic’s 3-1 victory over Motherwell would have been a great business.

He’s not match fit. He endured a fairly torrid 18 months after leaving Glasgow, first at Al-Ittihad after his £25m move, then France where he, again, struggled for game time.

However, at the age of 25, he appears to be at his best and is entering what should be his peak.

Manager Brendan Rodgers commented to BBC Scotland shortly after watching his new hire settle the outcome with an added-time strike at Fir Park. “It’s a huge moment for Jota.

“That’s the very reason he’s come back. It’s important for creative players to feel wanted and appreciated. They must enjoy the natural environment. For him, this is the ideal setting in Celtic.

The tears he shed as he celebrated his goal in front of Celtic fans demonstrated just how “right” that environment must appear in his eyes. Pure joy and a sense of relief, rolled into one.

The grass is always greener they say but, in Jota’s case, that proved badly wrong, potentially damaging to his career and, no doubt, his confidence.

In retrospect, one wonders if, despite the substantial financial gain he made, he would have made the same choice.

During his first year with the club, he undoubtedly felt wanted. In the Premiership alone, he scored 21 goals and provided 21 assists in just 62 games.

His status increased as he reached the end of the 2022-23 season, when he won the match with a score of 3-2 over Rangers, and he followed up that success with a Scottish Cup semi-final victory over the same opposition a few weeks later. In what would be his final hurrah, that trophy was won in the final third.

He left, and it seemed the end of a what was a two-way love-in between him and the Celtic support, until now.

After he’s likely gone through a period where his confidence has been shattered, will you be able to get the same Jota back again? That’s always the question. “asked former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner on BBC Scotland’s Sportsound.

” He’s got the ability, you could see it when he came on the pitch, he’s sharp enough, he looks quick enough.

Why didn’t that feature in his other clubs? Most of us would probably be asking, “Is he going to be the same Jota?”

We saw glimpses of his former self and he did well when he came on, according to his manager, “and getting the goal will give him confidence.”

After delivering that moment, which seemed like he had written the script himself, gave him even more.