Ange Postecoglou was delighted to welcome Jota back into the fold with the bonus of a scoring return at Livingston today.
Timing is everything with a three week absence meaning that Celtic’s most effective winger was missing from two Champions League home matches where he could have been at his most effective.
Although Celtic’s Champions League ambitions are dead and buried, at home the flame is burning strongly with 11 wins from 12 matches including recent trips to tough venues such as Tynecastle and the Tony Macaroni Arena.
There are three more SPFL matches before the World Cup break with Celtic looking in good shape with a fully fit Jota ready to add something special to the mix.
Asked about the return of the former Benfica man in the post-match media conference the Glasgow Times reports Postecoglou saying:
It is easy to forget he had a great start to the season, he was incredible for us. For him to miss the last period, along with Callum (McGregor), it is disappointing for him more than anything else because he wanted to make an impact at Champions League level. He scored against Leipzig, he was looking good and he has worked hard in rehab.
We still have four games to go before the break and again in the second half of the year I am sure he will be back to his best and looking to improve because he is a young player as well.
Today’s goal was Jota’s fifth in 10 SPFL appearances. With an outside chance of a place in the Portugal squad for the World Cup Finals the stage is set for Jota to sparkle against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
