“He doesn’t just look a good player, he is a good player,” Brendan Rodgers | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers labelled Jota a ‘class act’ after his performance against Dundee last night at Celtic Park…

5th February 2025 Celtic Park,Scottish Premiership Football, Celtic versus Dundee Jota applauds the fans as he is substituted. Photo ActionPlus David Young

The 25-year-old was excellent on his return to Paradise and capped a fine display with an excellent assist from Daizen Maeda before being replaced by Nicolas Kühn.

Speaking after the game, the Celtic manager was full of praise for Jota but warned opponents that there is more to come when the player is back up to full match fitness.

‘He’s missed a lot of football but he’s a class act’

“I’d obviously seen him before from the outside looking in and I’ve seen him train and work but he’s a big player so I can’t wait for him to get up to the level in terms of that football fitness.

Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring the third goal with teammate Jota during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“He’s missed a lot of football but he’s a class act,” Rodgers enthused at his post-match media conference after the 6-0 win over the Dens Park side. “The way he takes the ball, he has a lovely arrogance with the ball.

‘He doesn’t just look a good player, he is a good player’

“He doesn’t just look a good player, he is a good player. He can beat people and make a pass, make a cross, make a shot and he’s a big talent.”

Jota’s goal and assist in his last two games have shown that he has not lost that clinical edge that made him so effective during his first spell at the club. Supporters will be eager to see his progression under Brendan, especially as part of the wide trio with Daizen and Kühn.

Jota embraces Brendan Rodgers, following substitution during the match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The manager will be eager not to overload Jota at the risk of incurring an injury; however, the Irishman will be keen to get Celtic’s No.7 up and running ahead of Wednesday’s game against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League Play-Off round.

Daizen Maeda thanks the Celtic support

Expect to see Jota start again at the weekend against Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup, but not to last the 90 minutes. However as Daizen Maeda is suspended for the first leg of the Champions League play-off against Bayern Munich next Wednesday night at Celtic Park, he is likely to feature prominently against the Kirkcaldy outfit in the late afternoon kick-off.

UEFA Champions League welcomes Jota

Meanwhile UEFA Champions League have been posting images of Jota on their social media platforms today, suggesting that Celtic have already registered our Superstar from Portugal for the play-offs.

Here is Brendan Rodgers post match media conference after last night’s brilliant showing as Celtic really were putting on a show!

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