Former Celtic star Charlie Nicholas insists Jota has been Scottish football's top player this season but reckons the winger flattered to deceive in the Champions League.
The 23-year-old is adored by his Parkhead public and has kicked on since turning his wildly-successful loan into a permanent £6m deal in the summer. Jota scored in both Leipzig and Madrid, however, it was the latter strike in the Bernabeu which irked Nicholas - who was left miffed by the star's joyous reaction to a free kick which hit the net with his side 5-0 down in their final fixture in Group F.
Nicholas sees Jota as the best in class domestically but he believes significant improvements must be sought if the Benfica academy graduate earns a chance to do so next season. And the 60-year-old reckons manager Ange Postecoglou may have expected better from one of his most vital players. Speaking in his Express column, he said: "Some pundits and supporters talked him up to star at the Champions League level, but I wasn't among them. Boss Ange Postecoglou may even have been slightly disappointed with him, although I accept his injury didn't help as Celtic crashed out in the group stage.He might have scored a late consolation goal in a 5-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Bernabeu. But I didn't like it when he said it was the best moment of his life. OK, he netted against Real - and I never got that opportunity. Not many people do!
"And, while I'm all for celebrating goals, it doesn't really matter when you are five down at the time. I always remember King Kenny Dalglish saying he would only celebrate scoring important goals, not if his side is losing heavily because it's worthless - merely a tag that goes beside your name. Any player would surely rather have the points and also the bonus money for a victory. I would be shocked if Ange hasn't spoken to Jota about what he expects from him at Celtic.
"It is OK doing well domestically because that is what he is here for and why the Aussie manager bought him, but you need so much more at the top end in continental competition. I expected Jota to embrace and shine in the Champions League - but it didn't really happen for him. Former Bhoys boss Gordon Strachan and a few pundits said he played really well in the first game against Real Madrid at home as the Spanish side left with a 3-0 victory.
"I did not as I don't believe he did enough when he had the ball. Celtic must get him to produce more. That is the question mark against him. There is no doubt the potential is there. He has to concentrate on returning to the form he showed in the first couple of months but manage it over a full season. It's disappointing there is no European football after Christmas but he and the rest of the Celtic squad need to focus on retaining their Premiership crown while also trying to win the Scottish and League cups. I expect Jota to have a big role in that ambition. And, if a treble is achieved, there will be huge interest in him come summer."
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