Celtic beat Dundee United to increase the gap at the top of the table as Jota enjoyed a Parkhead homecoming.
The Portuguese winger returned to Celtic Park in January after Jota sealed his Hoops return from Rennes in an £8m winter move.
Since then, Jota has scored against Motherwell at Fir Park in scenes that saw the returning hero celebrate with the away fans that left tears in the winger’s eyes.
After making his home debut in Celtic’s win over Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup, it was Jota’s first start at Parkhead that had fans anticipating the game against Dundee United and he didn’t disappoint.
Jota’s class moment with Celtic fans after scoring his first league goal vs Dundee United
Jota was on fire as the Portuguese winger scored Celtic’s second goal in the Dundee United win and what happened just afterwards was a great moment for the 25-year-old.
And it was captured perfectly by Celtic’s Unique Angle.
The sheer outpouring of emotion just shows how much returning to the club means to Jota as the Portuguese winger reconnects with the fans inside Paradise.
Jota’s immense Celtic stats vs Dundee United is scary as the returning hero is just getting started
Jota always had that ability to get Celtic fans off their seats and against Dundee United, the winger put in a real shift.
Considering it’s only his third game since his Celtic return, Jota’s stats against Dundee United give fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
As per Fotmob, here is how Jota was rated a huge 8.2 in his first Scottish Premiership start at Celtic Park.
Minutes on the park: 62
Goals: 1
Shots on target: 1
Chances created: 4
Passing accuracy: 87%
Accurate long balls: 100%
Touches: 49
Touches in opposition box: 4
Successful dribbles: 50%
Defensive actions: 3
Celtic now head to Germany where they will face Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Jota may well be called upon to start that match as Rodgers chases a two-goal win to move into the last 16 of the competition.
Whilst Jota is far from at his full strength, what he is already producing will give Munich boss Vincent Kompany food for thought as he looks to keep Celtic’s wingers at bay on Tuesday night.
