FILIPE JOTA emphasised he was still a headline act when he made a fairytale return to Celtic at Fir Park yesterday.
With the game balanced precariously at 2-1 for the champions, there was always that nagging doubt that Motherwell might just get that solitary opening that could wipe two points off the Hoops’ advantage in their quest for a fourth successive title.
The hosts had already pulled off a smash-and-grab job in the first-half when a lack of concentration from Auston Trusty presented Luke Cunningham with an equaliser to nullify Daizen Maeda’s superb header.
Adam Idah swept in a second goal before the interval, but, despite dominating proceedings and Kasper Schmeichel a virtual spectator, Brendan Rodgers’ men couldn’t kill off the contest.
WELCOME BACK, JOTA…Brendan Rodgers issues some instructions before the fans’ favourite prepares to launch his second Celtic career as a 65th-minute substitute at Fir Park.
Enter Jota in the 65th minute – and the comeback dream was set in motion.
The little Portuguese maverick, who had endured a turbulent 18 months in Saudia Arabia and France, bounced onto the pitch and looked full of vim and vigour and eager to mark the occasion.
The visitors had two goals wiped out for offside – one questionable – and Idah was also out of luck with a crisp low shot that was turned onto the right-hand upright by the sprawling Ellery Balcombe.
It looked like it could turn out to be one of those frustrating afternoons of not being able to put the game to bed and running the risk of leaving the back door open for a breakaway that could obliterate the previous good work.
HOOP HOOP HOORAY…Filipe Jota seals the dream comeback by netting Celtic’s third goal in the 3-1 win over Motherwell.
Jota, after having two efforts at goal, finally got the clincher with one of the last kicks off the ball when he tucked away a low cross from Maeda in the fading moments of stoppage time.
The flamboyant touchline ace, who signed a five and a half year contract from Rennes when he rejoined last week, said: “It’s such an amazing moment for me and I couldn’t have written it better.
“In the end, it’s just a matter of believing and from when I came on, I always believed that a ball would be given to me and that happened in the end.
“It was just a very personal moment and I wanted to share that with the Celtic fans. It was just like remembering the old times.
“We had an amazing journey and, coming back, I just want to continue that and this was for them.”
HEARTFELT…an emotional Filipe Jota shares the moment with the Celtic fans.
Jota, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “I think I’ll still need time to get back fit to the best that I can. Obviously, though, I’m here to work hard every day in order to achieve that.
“This was a really good start, but football always keeps going and tomorrow is another day and I need to be focused again.
“It’s better to just think day by day and enjoy that for as long as we can.”
The emotional wide Bhoy, who is standing by for a Parkhead return on Wednesday when Dundee visit, added: “We know that important things will come in the future.
“But it’s just about living life to the fullest today and enjoy this moment with the Celtic fans and my family.
“Tomorrow, we go again at Lennoxtown.”