Pundit Stephen McGinn, the older brother of John McGinn, has shared his thoughts on Jota’s impressive return to the Hoops after re-signing in January. The Portuguese winger, who has shown glimpses of his best form since rejoining, has been impressive in Brendan Rodgers’ team.

McGinn, who has strong connections to Celtic through his brother and family, is a huge fan of the club and has been closely following the impact Jota has made.

Jota’s Quick Adaptation to Celtic’s System

Stephen McGinn was full of praise for Jota’s return, admitting that the winger’s performances have exceeded expectations. Speaking about Jota’s impact, McGinn said: (Go Radio Football Show), “I think Jota has been a top signing. I can’t believe how good Jota has been, in terms of his limited minutes. Getting up to speed… Genuinely, it has taken me by surprise how good he has been.”

Despite not starting the first leg against Bayern Munich, Jota has adapted quickly, impressing with his ability to make an immediate impact, with a goal off the bench against Motherwell at Fir Park on his second debut. McGinn highlighted how Brendan Rodgers has been cautious with his minutes to make sure Jota stays fresh, but the winger has still managed to hit the ground running and contribute to Celtic’s successes over the last month.

Rodgers’ Winger-Heavy System

McGinn also gave an insight into how Rodgers’ tactical approach has evolved, particularly in terms of his reliance on wingers. Last season, Celtic struggled in the title race for periods of the season, and McGinn pointed out that the team was overly dependent on Daizen Maeda. He believes that it was only when James Forrest returned from injury that the team began to resemble a typical Brendan Rodgers side.

Now, with Jota, Maeda, and Nicolas Kuhn, McGinn feels the team is finally starting to look like the balanced, attacking side Rodgers is known for. “With Kuhn, Maeda, and Jota, they look like a real good Brendan Rodgers side,” he said, praising the attacking trio.

Final Thoughts: A Bright Future for Celtic

As Celtic fans continue to watch Jota’s development in his second spell in Glasgow, there’s a real sense of excitement about his ability to shine in the second half of the season. With Brendan Rodgers fine-tuning his squad and relying on his wingers to play a key role, Jota’s return is proving to be a key factor in Celtic’s success. For fans of the club, the future looks bright, with the Portuguese winger playing a major part in what has already been an exciting campaign.