FILIPE JOTA will shed blood, sweat and tears to bring continued success to Celtic.
But don’t expect CHEERS if he scores against his boyhood favourites Benfica.
The flamboyant winger, 23, confirmed he would be leaving the Lisbon giants when he signed a £6.5million five-year deal at the champions, as CQN reported during the week.
Jota, who collected 13 strikes during his impressive season-long loan at Ange Postecoglou’s title-winning team, is looking forward to the new campaign – and a tilt at the Champions League.
JUMPING FOR JOY…Filipe Jota celebrates after netting against Dundee at Dens Park – but Celtic fans will not see an action replay if he repeats the feat against Benfica.
But the Portuguese ace will be holding his breath when the draw is made for the elite competition on August 25.
Jota has revealed he will NOT celebrate if he scores a goal against his old club, who kick off the tournament in the third qualifying round as they eye a place in the lucrative group stages.
The Hoops’ fans’ favourite insisted: “I don’t want to think about the prospect of playing against them in the Champions League!
“Would I celebrate if I scored against them?
“Definitely not — no chance! Benfica is a really special place for me and it will always be in my heart, whatever happens.
HOOPY DAZE…Filipe Jota holds the Celtic shirt after agreeing a five-year deal.
“Coming to Scotland this week was quite a nostalgic moment for me because I’ve left home.
“It’s been 15 years, not one year – and 15 years is a lifetime.”
Jota, speaking to the Scottish Sun on Sunday, added: “I guess it’s like Kieran Tierney going to Arsenal — everyone kept saying to me that he had left home and it’s the same for me.
“I was on my holidays and I was thinking about what I would do next. I had to make the choice, and I chose Celtic.
“At this moment in my career, this was the best step for me and I’m 100 per cent here and focused on doing the job.”
Just don’t ask the touchline star to celebrate scoring against Benfica!
