Jota’s return to Celtic will push his team-mates to a new level with competition for places ‘through the roof’.
Brendan Rodgers stated after selling star striker Kyogo to Rennes that he wanted to add another frontman to his ranks as well as competition for Greg Taylor at left-back. Kieran Tierney arrives in the summer but with Arsenal playing hardball and not allowing him an early move north, they needed to go to plan B. In the end, it was a frustrating deadline day with versatile Jeffrey Schlupp – who made his debut against Dundee – the only new arrival on a six-month loan from Crystal Palace.
That has thrown up the old debate whether the champions have come out of January weaker than they went in. Pundit Michael Stewart says it is debatable, insisting bringing back ‘absolute class’ Jota will raise the standards of his colleagues. Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn – in the goals once again in the 6-0 romp over the Dark Blues – are already posting incredible numbers, with the latter scoring 17 goals and providing 12 assists while his fellow attacker has 18 goals and eight assists across all competitions.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound, Stewart reckons throwing Jota into that mix makes the wide areas clearly stronger and judging by the performances at Parkhead, the arrival of the Portuguese winger has given not only the fans but the players a major lift.
He said: “From a mangers perspective of course when you lose someone like Kyogo you want a marquee signing to replace him. But I do honestly think – I have heard a few people talking about their overall squad being weaker – I think it is debatable.
“Jota coming in, the guy is absolute class. Look at the performances there, it is just unspoken. Players in the squad see somebody like him coming in and it gives them a lift, it pushes them on and the competition for places is through the roof, particularly in those wide areas.
“I know it does at centre-forward give them a little bit less strength and depth. But I do think in the wider areas, where a lot of Celtic’s real good play and penetration comes from, they are clearing stronger in those areas.”