There is a new – well sort of – Celtic hero in town as Jota continues to grab the headlines and attention.
The champions sold fans’ favourite Kyogo in during the January transfer window to Rennes and it was a move that brought worry to the Hoops faithful. However, bringing back Jota on a long-term deal quickly healed that broken heart and he made an immediate impact with the match sealing strike away at Motherwell at Fir Park. A first start followed against Dundee and a superb assist and exciting performance has the Hoops faithful purring and asking what more is to come when he is properly up and running.
The form of players will also see big price tags arrive when interest mounts. Matt O’Riley is a prime example of that after his exit for Brighton while Nicolas Kuhn has been one mentioned this season as he added another stunner to his CV against Dundee. One punter is buzzing with his club presently and can’t wait to face German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League next week.
Gordon Ashley, Ayr: “The value of this team Brendan Rodgers is assembling is soaring, it was time for Kyogo to step aside for Adam Idah anyway, who along with the superb Arne Engels is looking like a bargain. Qualifying for the next stage of the only show in town and every goal and assist along the way has bumped the value of these players skywards and now they face the mighty Bayern with the whole world watching as the world’s most successful club. What a season.”
Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton: “Any thoughts that Celtic’s attack would be weakened by Kyogo leaving was quickly diminished last night. Jota has added a new dimension to our play and you can stop the goal of the season competition with Maeda’s Larsson type finish. I’m looking forward immensely to the Bayern match and I am confident of taking a lead over to the second leg. While Rangers are taking on inferior opposition we will be taking on the best.”
Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon: “What a performance by Celtic. We have more than enough talent at club to go on and capture the treble, and having Jota back is a bonus for the younger fans to see a swashbuckling winger.”
Kenny Wilson, Moffat: “Another top performance from the champions scoring some quality goals along the way. Every player was on form and I thought Jota showed us what’s to come from him especially once he is up to speed. Its not been great not replacing Kyogo but once again we showed we have goals all over the pitch.”
Lyall Cameron was pictured arriving with the Dundee squad for the clash with Celtic. He’s set to hook up with Rangers in the summer after putting pen to paper on a pre-contract. However, he wasn’t included in the matchday squad with boss Tony Docherty revealing pre-match at Parkhead his absence was down to an injury knock.
Despite the reasons, one caller believes pre-contracts are ABSURD with the Dundee youngster highlighting that while questioning why clubs make them public knowledge. John Scott, Grassmoor: “Whatever the circumstances behind the decision to leave Lyall Cameron out of the Dundee team at Celtic, it highlights the absurdity of pre-contract agreements. Why make these things public knowledge in the first place? In any other walk of life you wouldn’t last a day if you handed in a three month notice to quit. If you don’t want to extend your contract fair enough. The move to a larger club is life changing professionally and financially but for crying out loud treat your present clubs supporters with more respect. Oh and ensure cherry picking Rangers pay proper compensation.”
Elsewhere, caller George Wilson was called out for his previous comments and told top ‘stop talking nonsense’. Michael Emonds, Northampton: “Only George Wilson could make Rangers failure to qualify for the Champions League sound like a success. Every team in the Champions League had to qualify one way or the other depending on what league they play in. Every team in the Europa League except one failed to qualify for the main tournament and the mighty Lazio who sit at the Europa League summit were horsed by Celtic home and away the last time we played them in that tournament in 2019, crawl back under your rock Mr Wilson and stop talking nonsense.”