It was back in the summer when we reported Jota being spotted in New York playing football with his Celtic jersey. At the time, supporters took it as a big hint we could be seeing more of Jota at Celtic Park.
The Portuguese star signed a five-year deal with the club on July 1, committing his long term future to the bhoys.
Through the summer, Celtic fans on social media were constantly following Jota’s trip overseas. He was in Spain, USA, Mexico and back in Portugal.
The New York trip and the social media posts from it were very interesting. Seeing the winger walk about with his Hoops on holiday was one thing, but then joining up with lads playing football to make up the numbers was excellent.
“I saw the Celtic fans everywhere I went,” Jota said. “You have no idea how many stories I have with supporters. It was crazy.” Jota told the national.
“There are Celtic people all over the world which is a good thing. It was good to feel the love and warmth everywhere I went.
“I had a kickabout with some fans in New York. I actually played a Sunday League match with a group of Irish fans.
“Me and my friend were kicking a ball around when someone approached us and asked if we wanted a game. They asked if we wanted to join them because they were a couple of players short. They needed two guys to make up the numbers so we said ‘Why not?’
“Then when I started to play one of the guys from our team came up and asked if I was Jota. I had a Celtic strip on with my name on the back but they still didn’t believe me at first and thought it was a joke.
“He said ‘No way, no, this must be a joke, it’s not you, come on. Jota is not in New York playing with us in the Sunday League!’ And I said ‘Yeah I am, I am! Trust me, it’s real!’
“In the end he understood that it was me, and I remember that we had to start the game losing 2-0, because the rule was that if two guys didn’t show up, you started the game losing 2-0. So, then I said to myself ‘ok, we cannot lose this game.’ We had to go strong.
“It was good to be with Celtic fans and enjoy some time with them in an amazing city.
“I don’t remember the name of the team, but I remember the score was like 6-5, something like that. I scored two and had four assists!
“I knew that the fanbase of Celtic is really big, but I never expected when I turned the next corner I would find someone from Celtic.
“Sometimes it’s just random. I knew it could happen, but I didn’t go to these places for this to happen, I went for my holidays!
“But it was just lucky they were there and I could just chat with them a bit.”
Jota is now getting back down to business and will be part of Celtic’s squad flying out to Austria on Monday.
The Hoops have a massive season ahead with Champions League football coming up in September. Hopefully, the bhoys can do us proud.
