‘No point to prove' – Jota insists he is still the same player as he opens up on trying to regain Celtic starting spot
He's responded to fans comparing his current form with his previous spell at the club
JOTA ON THE BENCH? 'No point to prove' – Jota insists he is still the same player as he opens up on trying to regain Celtic starting spot
JOTA knew he had a battle on his hands to reclaim his spot on the Celtic wing.
But the Portuguese flier insists he does NOT have a point to prove on his return to Glasgow.
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Jota celebrates with a young fan who ran on the pitch at Hampden on Sunday
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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He scored the fifth goal against St Johnstone in their Scottish Cup semi
Credit: PA
After playing a key role in sealing the Treble in 2022-23, the 26-year-old flew the nest to chase riches in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad.
Finding only disappointment there, and again with Rennes in France earlier this season, Jota has rediscovered happiness in the Hoops. But it hasn't all been plain sailing.
Having spent 18 months scrambling for regular minutes, the forward has had to build his fitness back up again at Lennoxtown since his January return.
And that's before battling the likes of Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda and James Forrest for a coveted spot in the first 11.
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He has made just eight starts since his Hoops comeback.
And, after being benched for Celtic's last two games, Jota could be forgiven for fearing for his future as a nailed-on starter in Brendan Rodgers' side.
But the ex-Benfica academy kid revealed he isn't in a rush to impress as he looks to help the club close in on another Treble. He said: 'There's no point to prove here.
'I'm just enjoying the game, being happy on the pitch.
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'Every day is a new opportunity to be better and to be happier, so that's what I'm doing.
'I'm feeling very good. I think I needed time to develop my physical ability, because it was a long time without playing.
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'But now I am feeling very good and ready to go stronger.'
Jota netted his fifth goal since his return in Sunday's 5-0 Scottish Cup semi-final rout of St Johnstone.
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Fresh off the bench, he capitalised on a deep Alistair Johnston cross to squeeze a first-time finish home at the back post.
He added: 'It was a good performance from the team and when I got my opportunity, I was there in the right spot.
'Credit to Alistair too because he did an unbelievable job.
'Every little moment is important for me and I am just grateful for living this experience here.
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'The goal is the cherry on top of the cake for me, but the job is not done yet. You should always give your best and whatever needs to happen will happen naturally.
'So there's no pressure on that. There's the responsibility of being better every day and that's where my aim is.'
Jota's most recent switch to the bench has coincided with the latest resurgence of veteran James Forrest.
The 33-year-old is on the cusp of becoming the most decorated ever player to wear the Hoops.
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Forrest will go one clear of club icon Bobby Lennox with 26 major trophy triumphs when the Premiership title is eventually clinched.
And Jota revealed he is learning every day from his fellow forward, who continues to produce the goods despite his advancing years.
When asked about Forrest's impressive longevity, Jota joked: 'Come on, he's not that old — 33 is the new 22! Don't do him like that.
'But yeah, credit to him. James has had an unbelievable career and we're just all grateful to have him on the pitch and on the team.
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'His record speaks for itself. I think there's not one single person in the locker room who doesn't love James, as a person and a football player.
'So we just try to drink from his wisdom and learn from him and just be a part of his journey.
'There are a lot of good personalities at the club and everyone tries to transmit what the values of Celtic are.
'And James is no different from that.
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'You can learn a lot from him and I am just grateful that I'm doing this with him again.'
Having earned his first Treble at Parkhead under Aussie Ange Postecoglou, Jota is now relishing developing his skills under Rodgers.
The former Liverpool and Leicester City gaffer is determined to make history this season by becoming the first Celtic manager to bag three Trebles.
Jota could yet play a key role and the winger isn't concerned about fans comparing his current performances to those he produced in his first spell in Scotland.
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Jota said: 'I'm really enjoying it.
'I think Brendan brings a good philosophy to the team.
'I think the structure of Celtic is very well made.
'So then it's just a matter of details and I think he has done a very good job in putting the team together.
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'He's developing his ideas and we're having a good time.
'Importantly, the core group was still here when I came back.
'I still try to learn from them and whoever comes in new, I try to help and perform with them.
'I think being here for the first time and having lived what I lived, it was really good.
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'Then performances are a matter of perspective.
'What's the higher level? In the end, it's about all being together and giving the best for Celtic.'
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