Boss Brendan Rodgers insists that Jota is fast approaching his top form after sticking to his pledge to ease the returning winger back into life at Celtic.
The Hoops strolled 16 points clear of the chasing Premiership pack as they saw off Dundee United thanks to first-half goals from Jota and Callum McGregor before Adam Idah got in on the scoring action late in the showdown. The Portuguese winger was the star of the show against Jim Goodwin’s men before being taken off at 60 minutes with the blockbuster Champions League clash with Bayern Munich inside the Allianz Arena just around the corner.
Since the Portuguese star’s arrival from Stade Rennes in January, Rodgers has consistently stated that the winger will be given time to gain full fitness having barely played in the last 18 months at Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League and Ligue 1. He reiterated it pre-match, telling BBC Sportsound: “He hasn’t played a great deal of football, but you see his quality and class. We have to be careful but he is getting better each day.”
Asked by Sky Sports how close the wide man is to “his peak”, Rodgers after the game having stuck to his word, said: “He is certainly getting there. You see from his goal he has big talent, and it’s a great finish.
“It’s just time and work. He is working very hard on the training field. We are staggering his game time to get him up to match fitness, but there is no doubt he can contribute.”