He left the Rangers defence for dead when he scored Celtic’s second goal on Saturday. And Portuguese winger Jota says starring in gaffer Ange Postecoglou’s side makes him happy to be alive.
The 23-year-old was unplayable again for the Hoops yesterday as they hammered their city rivals 4-0 in the first Old Firm derby of the season. Jota’s strike – a delicious chip over Rangers keeper Jon McLaughlin – and Liel Abada’s double put Celtic in command at half-time.
Then David Turnbull’s goal after the break secured three points that took Postecoglou ’s side five points clear in the Premiership table. Jota was part of an attacking machine that Rangers couldn’t live with for 90 minutes and the £6million former Benfica ace says it’s a pleasure to play for his manager.
He said: “We know these games are really special and we came with the mentality of doing well, sticking to our principles and just delivering. I think we did it.
“It’s always a big result because it’s a win. But if it was 1-0 it could still be a good result. It always depends on the way we play and I think the way we played out there was very good.
“So we need to keep at it now. I’ve said this quite a few times. I’m so grateful to be in a team that plays this kind of football. 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, crosses, assists, goals. That’s what we aim for.
“It’s just an unbelievable time to be alive right now. It depends what people think is dream football. For some people the dream is to win, even if you play badly. But if you can play well and win games? That is what we want.
“We are in a good moment right now. But there are plenty of difficult matches to come so we need to remain humble and work hard. That’s what we have been doing since last season and we want to keep improving.”
Jota’s goal was a thing of beauty. Callum McGregor’s quick free-kick found Matt O’Riley while Rangers players were standing around complaining to the referee.
Before they knew it, the midfielder had picked out Jota on the run behind Gers defender Connor Goldson. His first touch was sublime before producing a deft finish past McLaughlin.
Jota said: “When I received the ball I was not expecting to chip. Football is like very short seconds – you just need to decide in the moment. Once I saw the goalkeeper coming I knew I had to chip.
“I think a tap-in is just as satisfying as the other goals because it’s still a goal. As long as the ball goes into the net I’m happy with that.”
Jota and co. now have to prepare themselves to face European champs Real Madrid on Tuesday night. Carlo Ancelotti’s side will arrive in Glasgow for the Champions League Group F opener with some of the world’s best players in their ranks.
But Jota says Celtic will go into the Madrid game with the same belief they showed yesterday. And he’ll
relish the test against the Spaniards. He said: “People often think that confidence brings more confidence.
“But these are the times you just have to remain humble and stick to your principles. We know how hard it was against Rangers to play this kind of football. Now we have to keep our feet on the ground.
“We still have room to improve and need to be better game after game. When you start to play football playing in big games are the moments you want. In 15 years you can tell your children you enjoyed these moments.
“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. You know that to be a great football player you have to both attack and defend well.
“We know we need to be compact defensively. It’s impossible to always be attacking. But we have been doing good work when we need to.”
Jota lost one of his attacking side-kicks yesterday as Kyogo Furuhashi was forced off with a shoulder injury in the first minute against Gers. But the winger praised his replacement, Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakis, for playing his part in a memorable Old Firm win.
He said: “It’s never good to lose a player like Kyogo. But as professionals, we need to adapt and we always have a lot of quality from the bench. So the team just stays the same. Giorgos is someone who just delivers every time he’s on. He’s a big asset for Celtic.
“We are always ready. Everyone sticks to the same principles and philosophy that the coach wants us to play. It’s so good to have people to come on and keep the quality the same.”
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