Celtic star Jota has admitted that coming through the ranks at Benfica prepared him well for life in Glasgow.
He has been a standout player for the Hoops since first arriving on loan in the summer of 2021 before making the deal permanent the following year.
Although he wasn’t on the scoresheet for his side in the 4-0 victory over Aberdeen, he still put in a top performance and is now able to look ahead to next Sunday’s Viaplay Cup Final.
The Portuguese star has already bagged a goal against Rangers this season having lobbed the ball over Allan McGregor to double Celtic’s lead on the day. He only featured for 13 minutes in the most recent draw at Ibrox after a virus ran riot through the Hoops dressing room.
That will be inspired by missing the final last season against Hibs and he will be hoping to make a big impact in the final.
Jota is very well-liked player by the Hoops support and admits it will always be a privilege to be stopped in the street by fans as it’s a sign of how well the team are doing.
“Me coming to Celtic from Benfica, the fan base was as big as Celtic’s. I came from a big club and even from a young age you start to get recognised and these type of things. So I believe that was actually a good thing when I came to Scotland as I was already used to that attention from the fans and the approach they have on us,” said Jota as quoted by the [Daily Record].
“It’s just another reason for us to be proud, it’s also a sign that we are doing good things on the pitch. I’m just proud that they reach out to me and try to speak to me.”
It was an impressive first season for Postecoglou’s side who won a league and league cup double and although Jota played a role on the way to the final, he regretted on missing out due to injury.
“Last season I was not part of the cup final because I was injured. I had to watch the game from a distance but I was proud of all of the boys and what they achieved. I just tried to do my best to provide some support from the sidelines and the energy was good.
“In the end we managed to get the win and lift the trophy which is always the most important thing. As a football player you always want to be involved in the biggest games.
“When that game is about trying to win a trophy you desperately want to be a part of that, I am no exception to wanting that. You always feel a bit frustrated as I was on that day but the boys did a great job to win that trophy.”
