Luke McCowan has lifted the lid on his early exchanges with Jota following the Portuguese winger’s return to Celtic in January. The midfielder, who joined the Hoops in the second half of 2024, found himself sharing a dressing room with one of his former heroes — with a few awkward laughs to begin with.
Jota, who was ruled out for the season after damaging his cruciate ligament against Dundee United in April, made his Hoops comeback after a short stint in France. Having left Celtic two years earlier for £25 million, his return was greeted warmly by the support — and by McCowan, who once watched him from the stands.
But despite his admiration, McCowan didn’t hold back when it came to winding up his new team-mate. His cheeky comments initially caught Jota off guard, revealing the cultural gap that sometimes exists in the Celtic squad.
Still, friendships quickly formed, with Paulo Bernardo playing a key role in helping McCowan and Jota click. The midfielder believes it’s a reflection of the unique environment Celtic has, a mix of nationalities bonded by football and a shared commitment to the cause.
He said: (RecordSport),“He’s a good character, a very lively, influential person.
“I think he thought I was a wee bit of a fanboy when I first came in, because I was kidding on to him that I was going to get a few ‘Jota 7’ tops off him!
“But no, he’s been perfect. I’m good friends with Paolo Bernardo from when I first came in and as soon as Jota came in, and Paolo was obviously close with Jota, we became friends right away.
“That’s what this club creates, friendships through different countries, different cultures. It’s a special place.”
With Jota now sidelined for the rest of the year, his impact at Lennoxtown is likely to be off the pitch for the foreseeable future. McCowan’s story highlights the influence the winger continues to have within the squad, even without playing.
McCowan’s integration into the Celtic midfield has been almost perfect, and his comments reflect the respect and admiration he has for both his team-mates and the club. From growing up watching Jota to now calling him a friend, it’s a journey that many will admire.
Celtic’s changing room has played a big part in the team’s success, with Brendan Rodgers making sure everyone feels part of the group no matter where they’re from. That strong bond could help again as the team goes after more silverware.
For McCowan, who used to watch from the stands, he’s now fully involved — both on the pitch and in the laughs behind the scenes at Lennoxtown.
