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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Graeme McGarry

'An unbelievable time to be alive': Jota loving life at Celtic after Rangers rout

Jota can't wait to face Real Madrid after Celtic thumped Rangers on Saturday.

JOTA says it is an ‘unbelievable time to be alive’ as he revelled in Celtic’s demolition of Rangers ahead of welcoming Real Madrid to Glasgow on Tuesday night.

The Portuguese winger produced an outstanding chipped finish to score Celtic’s second goal as they demolished Rangers in the derby, with the four goals on the day taking their league tally to 25 already after only six matches.

Jota says it is a joy to play within such an attacking set-up under Ange Postecoglou, and he now can’t wait for his team to test themselves in the Champions League.

“I’m so grateful to be in the team that plays this kind of football,” Jota said. “I’ve played like this all my youth and this is just the way I want to play football with these principles.

“Attacking football, high tempo, high pressing, one v ones, crossings, assists, goals. That’s what we aim for.

“It’s just an unbelievable time to be alive right now.

“For some people the dream is to win even if you play bad. If you can play good and win games that is what we want. 

“I think we are in a good moment right now, there are plenty of difficult matches to come so we just need to remain humble and work hard every day. 

“That’s what we have been doing since last season and we want to keep improving.”

Rather than a prospect to be feared, Jota says that the occasion against the European champions on Tuesday will be something to savour.

“Once you start to play football these are the moments you want,” he said.

“The moments you will record one day, maybe in 15 years you can tell your children that you enjoyed these moments. This is all about enjoying it. 

“People say ‘you have to be ready for this!’ They are so into the moment that they cannot enjoy. I think we will enjoy it. 

“We will stay responsible, know what we have to do, but at the same time enjoy it. Because it’s very good to play these games.”

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