Jota will have to prove fitness and form, he can’t just walk back into the Celtic team

The Celtic Star

·25 January 2025

Jota will have to prove fitness and form, he can’t just walk back into the Celtic team

Jota is at Celtic Park at the moment finalising the formalities ahead of being announced as a Celtic player…

Jota of Celtic celebrates after scoring only goal of the game during the Scottish Cup Semi Final match between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 30, 2023 i(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Our superstar from Portugal must realise that he will have to earn his place in this exciting Celtic side. Jota will become a Celtic player for the second time as his £8.6 million move from Rennes nears completion over the next few hours.

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Staggering £25 million deal

We all know his capabilities after his last spell at the club, indeed it was only 18 months ago the superstar of Portugal left for Saudi side Al-Ittihad in a staggering £25 million deal.

Jota failed to settle in the Gulf State and moved to French side Rennes last summer, but has failed to impress in France making only 10 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

News of his impending move back to Glasgow has excited the supporters, taking the sting out of Kyogo’s move in the opposite direction, but any notion that he will walk straight into the first team needs to be knocked firmly on the head.

Jota of Celtic reacts during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Heart of Midlothian at on March 08, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It’s assumed that Jota will occupy the left side attacking berth as Nicolas Kuhn has made the right side position his own with a string of impressive performances. The problem for Jota is that Daizen Maeda plays that left sided role superbly, and has made it his own, so Jota like every other player will need to fully prove his worth to the manager.

Brendan has decisions to make

Brendan Rodgers applauds the fans after the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and BSC Young Boys at Celtic Park on January 22, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Brendan could of course play Daizen in a more central role, but I’d expect another striker to be brought in, so it could be a straight battle between Daizen and Jota for that left sided role.

Jota will need to fight for his place and prove his worth, and his massive price tag will mean nothing in the manager’s eye when it comes to team selections, just ask Adam Idah.

🍀 Rennes winger Jota is in Glasgow to finalise his return to Celtic. The club are also expected to make an approach for Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden as they look to replace the departing Kyogo. More ⤵️
– Saturday, 25 January 2025

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Jota will have to prove fitness and form, he can’t just walk back into the Celtic team | OneFootball