Jota loves surprise moment with Celtic supporter

Named as a substitute in Brendan Rodgers' squad for the 5-0 win over St Johnstone, the Portuguese winger came into the game with great effect midway through the second half, scoring shortly after his arrival.

Alistair Johnston pinged across a perfect back-post cross for Jota to fire home from an acute angle, putting the Celtic cherry on top of a dominant performance that sent them into the Scottish Cup final.

"I always try to imagine the situations in my head to feel them and then to act on them," Jota said after the game. "I just felt like Ali was going to do a brilliant cross and it really happened so I was there."

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Jota was greeted with jubilant Celtic celebrations in the stands and on the pitch, with one young fan coming on to surprise his green and white hero. It's a moment that will live with him.

The player enthused, "It's the first time I've experienced something like this. I was thrilled for that and I hope he has a memory for life. I just hope he's okay at the moment.

"I think the fans are always there to support us and today was no different. So they always make us feel at home and we love it."

Despite not being in the Celtic starting eleven of late, Jota dismissed the notion of a point being proved with his individual contribution on Sunday, insisting that he will give his all in any scenario, regardless of status.

"There are no points to prove," he said. "Every opportunity is an opportunity and I will always be here to give my maximum and enjoy the football. In the end it's all about being happy on the pitch and I'm here to show that."

(Image: PA)

That's an attitude he may well have learned from James Forrest, a player closing in on a record medal haul for an individual player in the entire history of Celtic.

Despite the imminent achievement, Forrest is not a player to rest on his laurels or do anything but get on with the hard work of performing for the club, even when not a regular starter.

"He's a humble player, a humble person. I think there's not a single person in the locker room that doesn't love James," Jota declared. "He's a breath of fresh air, to be fair. Everyone loves to play with him, to hang out with him. We're just learning from him. If we can help him to achieve that, I think that's what we will do."

Outsiders may consider that Jota's career hasn't quite hit the heights many expected upon his big-money departure from Celtic. The player is much more philosophical, though. He's focused on the future, as well as his day-to-day processes.

"Every step is a different step. I tried to learn as much as I could from my experiences abroad. I think I'm a much better player and person at the moment. I lived very good moments in the past few years. Difficult ones as well, but everything was a learning.

"I wouldn't be here maybe if I didn't learn in the past. Just being mindful about it and enjoying the day."

For now, Jota is relishing life under Brendan Rodgers. It's a relationship that could prove even more fruitful next season.

He said, "I really like it. I think the structure and the idea of the club are always here. He just brought a bit of his idea and philosophy. It was a perfect match, and now I just want to perform more."