Jota makes superb Celtic claim after emotional goal

It is not often that you will see a Celtic player in tears after scoring in the league away at Fir Park against Motherwell in early February. Clearly, it was more than just a goal for Jota though, who endured a difficult 18 months on the pitch after leaving the Hoops in a £25 million transfer move to join Al-Ittihad back in the summer of 2023.

Things did not work at all at Al-Ittihad and just months into his move, he was out of the first-team picture, left out of the squad and being linked with a move away. Ultimately, it took a year for that exit to materialise as he joined Rennes last summer.

Jota did not have a much better time at Rennes either. He was playing a decent bit of football early on and even scored once but things went south after Jorge Sampaoli was appointed as the French club's manager and he found himself struggling for game time once again.

Now, back at Celtic, Jota has another chance to bring his career back on track. Everybody wants to see him succeed and his reaction to the goal against Motherwell should dissolve any fears regarding his dedication to the game or hunger to succeed.

Jota makes superb Celtic claim after emotional goal

While speaking to Sky Sports after the game against Motherwell, Jota said:

"It’s been some quite difficult moments, obviously like ups and downs and I just feel like I’m back home and I couldn’t be happier than this."

That will be music to the ears of Celtic supporters. It is very possible that Jota is even more hungry than the first time around. He has a point to prove after failing at Al-Ittihad and Rennes in quick succession.

Of course, it is going to take some time for him to find his best level again. And it won't be easy to get ahead of Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn in the pecking order. So, let's see what the future holds for him.