Jota marked his return to the pitch for Celtic by scoring against Livingston, after coming on as a second-half substitute for Ange Postecoglou’s side in the 80th minute of the game. The Portuguese winger showed what the Hoops had been missing in these past few weeks, even during his short cameo off the bench.
Jota had last played for Celtic earlier this month in the game vs St Johnstone and he had been brought off at half-time on that occasion, with what was then thought to be ‘fatigue’.
Jota went on to miss several important games as a result of that issue, including the home fixtures in the Champions League against RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk, which went on to end the Hoops’ European hopes for the season.
And it is safe to say that Jota was delighted to make his return to the pitch for Celtic. As reported by 67 Hail Hail, he told Sky Sports after the game against Livingston:
"“Definitely it’s very good to be back with the lads and I just hope that we can finish this first stage of the season at the top.“It’s always difficult [when injured] but that’s why we are a very good group and support each other. And the family is a big factor as well in our lives so I’m just grateful to have the perfect people and the right people beside me.“Every time there’s a struggle I’m just ready to bounce back and that’s what I’ve tried to do. I only think of the next game, I’m just happy we got the three points and let’s go on to the next one.”"
Jota marked his return from injury by scoring for Celtic vs Livingston
Jota is without doubt one of the most important players in this current Celtic team. The Hoops do not have any other player, who has his combination of trickery, on ball ability, eye for a pass and finishing as well.
The club pulled off a transfer masterstroke when they signed Jota on a season-long loan from Benfica and then made the deal permanent this summer for a transfer fee believed to be around £6.4 million.
Now, one would be hoping that Jota is able to remain injury-free moving forward as Celtic will definitely need him over the course of the ongoing season. While their European hopes might be up in smoke, the Hoops still have three domestic titles to fight for. They are leading the Premiership by four points at the moment, and have made the semis of the League Cup.