Much maligned pundit and former Celtic striker Charlie Nicholas believes that Jota must still improve while in a Celtic jersey.
The Portuguese winger is adored by the Parkhead faithful and although Nicholas admits that he is the best player in the country, he reckons that the former Benfica youth star didn’t show his best for the Hoops in the Champions League.
Jota made his switch to Celtic permanent in the summer for a fee of around £6 million having had an impressive loan season at the club.
He is a flair player that gets the crowd excited and has so far made 17 appearances for the Scottish champions this season.
It seems strange that Nicholas takes aim at the 23-year-olds Champions League performances having scored in the matches away to RB Leipzig and Real Madrid.
The free-kick in the Bernabeu was a piece of utter brilliance, and although the Hoops may have found themselves 5-0 down at the time it still got travelling supporters off their seat at the home of the reigning European champions.
Funnily enough, it was that strike which irritated Nicholas as he didn’t like the players reaction the goal stating that Ange Postecoglou probably expected more from his winger in the competition as a whole.
“Some pundits and supporters talked him up to star at the Champions League level, but I wasn’t among them,” said Charlie Nicholas speaking in the Scottish Daily Express.
“Boss Ange Postecoglou may even have been slightly disappointed with him, although I accept his injury didn’t help as Celtic crashed out in the group stage.
“He might have scored a late consolation goal in a 5-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Bernabeu. But I didn’t like it when he said it was the best moment of his life. OK, he netted against Real – and I never got that opportunity. Not many people do!
“And, while I’m all for celebrating goals, it doesn’t really matter when you are five down at the time. I always remember King Kenny Dalglish saying he would only celebrate scoring important goals, not if his side is losing heavily because it’s worthless – merely a tag that goes beside your name.
“Any player would surely rather have the points and also the bonus money for a victory. I would be shocked if Ange hasn’t spoken to Jota about what he expects from him at Celtic.
“It is OK doing well domestically because that is what he is here for and why the Aussie manager bought him, but you need so much more at the top end in continental competition. I expected Jota to embrace and shine in the Champions League – but it didn’t really happen for him.”
It seems a very strange thing to take issue with as Celtic get set to return to domestic action against Aberdeen in only a matter of days.
The match against Real Madrid was well over a month ago and attentions must once again be concentrated on the league.
