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Jota brought to you by effective analytics

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

I wrote in May that Jota (23) was more important to retain than Cameron Carter-Vickers on a permanent contract. At that point, the profile of both players was high after a successful term in Glasgow, we would not have been the only potential destination. It is a huge credit to chief exec Michael Nicolson and the club that they have delivered both.

Cameron was our best defender, a potential Celtic captain, but still, I wanted Jota more. Opponents fear him. He can take a ball when marked tightly and the defender will not lunge in to attempt a steal, knowing Jota has the ability to move ball and body before they have formulated a thought.

If an opposition team leave him one-on-one, they better not lose possession. He is Celtic’s most effective out-ball; left with only one defender to beat, he can turn defence into an opportunity to score faster than Usain Bolt could track back.

When Aiden McGeady signed for Hibs this week, my thoughts went back to so many great memories. Prominent among them, was watching him as an 18-year-old, bring his instant control to a 2004 Celtic-Milan Champions League game. No one else in the Celtic team had that ball control.

Jota has the same effortless control.

So what about the Magic Window, where Celtic have seen enough of the player to make their move, before wealthier clubs get involved?

Incredibly, Jota had only played an entire 90 minutes of a game only twice before joining Celtic, both cup games for Benfica against lower league opposition. The season before arriving in Glasgow was mostly spent on the bench, watching his Real Valladolid side fail to ward off relegation. He made 8 starts there and was hooked each time, adding 10 appearances from the bench.

Across his career, before joining Celtic on loan last year, he made 9 starts and 29 sub appearances in senior football. Magic window? More a magic letterbox. He had hardly put studs on grass.

Valladolid was clearly a wrong move. As we have discussed previously about Patrick Roberts, he is a creative talent and needs to be with a team that spends lots of time attacking, sides fighting relegation would be unable to get the ball to him enough to see the benefit of giving him a shirt. It was the classic square peg/round hole problem – one we should be on the lookout for again.

To know the value of the player, Celtic would have to uncover knowledge only visible at Portuguese and Spanish reserve level games. The resources required to cover this much ground is unfathomable through traditional means. You are looking at the result of very effective analytics.

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  1. Turkeybhoy on

    Maybe I phrased the Sousa deal wrongly.I said M City,should have been,The City Group.

     

    Anyway,you will see,O ye of little faith.

  2. Celtic Mac on

    Novak marches on. His principles have cost him opportunities, in Australia and later on this year in the USA, but he is a great ambassador for tennis, not to mention one of its’ greatest ever players. Will take a player at the top of his game, and more, to beat him at Wimbledon. Not impossible, but once again the man to beat. A tournament that really has produced more than its’ fair share of great champions, male and female.

  3. Turkeybhoy on

    Shares in QP ,if you know a man,currently trading at 1pound,2shillings,and twopence,halfpenny.

  4. petec on

    The effort by Jota going back the way was noticable early doors.

     

     

    Jota,

     

     

    What a Brammer of a Signing.

     

     

    We all want Mikey Johnston to Rinse out the olde proverbial Style.

     

     

    Joy

     

    Jota’s tracking back is Incredible

     

     

    Were in 411 and Mikey has to Up his game. Its the backtracking.

  5. Turkeybhoy on

    BIG WAVY on 3RD JULY 2022 8:38 PM

     

    Man in know on KDS :

     

     

     

     

     

     

    “Pole position for Souza. Fenerbache can’t/won’t pay €9m. Loan to buy to us is now under serious consideration. Our relationship with The CG proving beneficial.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Stauner alert.

     

     

     

    A bit too late with your “stauner alert”I put this on hours ago,but you choose KDS for your news.

     

    Remembered.

  7. petec on

    Celtic Mac

     

     

    I will never get vaccinated,thats my choice.

     

     

    Pharmakeia….. I have a cheek as I took loads of Acid and LSD when I was young.

  8. Turkeybhoy on

    WAVY on 3RD JULY 2022 9:27 PM

     

    MM,

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I think Souza has had a standout season in Belgium and caught the eye. All the attributes of a modern Number 6 and has been pursused by Ajax (got their own vg number 6 and might sell later in the window), Fenerbahce and teams in Belgium and Holland. Wants a quick decision so we might steal a march rather than wait until the end of the window.

     

     

     

    Really?How many times have you seen him play?

  9. Turkeybhoy on

    MADMITCH on 3RD JULY 2022 9:13 PM

     

    VS — not quite getting the vibe with this one.

     

     

     

     

    One full season in Belgium at the age of 22 and he is a worldbeater / snip @ £8 or £9mill.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Not sure where the hype for him has come from.

     

     

    Really?How many times have you seen him play?

  13. petec on

    The MSM never showed Big Stephen M’cManus prone and trying to header the ba” just outside Our box against thems.

     

     

    Ange knows the Importance of the Young Ones coming through. He has worked with Stephen now for an Abdul Quadir and knows Stephen will do Whateever it takes to get the Young yins….. Established First Team players.

  19. petec on

    Judge not Lest ye be Judged.

     

     

    Or so I’ve heard/read.

     

     

    Matt O’Reilly – wow, take a Bow.

     

     

    Lets see how the young chap does against the Best Clubs on the planet, IMO he is a Belter.

     

     

    The Scouting is excellent when we are getting GEMS like Matthew.

  27. GFTB on

    Petec

     

     

    Always a bit emotional when it comes to Celtic

     

     

    Am unsure if my memories are better with Tommy Burns not winning a title of Neil winning everything trophy on the go :-)

     

     

    I love them both equally …. But this Ange character “grabs” my attention … and never let it be forgot … Delaneys Dunky bought inti Ange from day dot .. Garry wasn’t often correct but he was this time :-) 🍀

  32. GFTB on

    Pete C

     

     

    Garry’s last words to me ….

     

     

     

    “Viva la France ya wee Coatbrig Xxxxxx”

     

     

    Would have cuddled him more if I could foresee the future …. he lives on our memory … big time

  36. GFTB on

    Petec

     

     

    I try my best ti stay away from all politics in here but Miss GFTB and here pals quite like this wee number .. hopefully more of their peers in October 2023 might want to give it a shot … instead of being governed by the Tories all their living lives :-)

     

     

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pCArS0G5ewU

  41. GFTB on

    Petec ..

     

     

    Our freedom is on the horizon … the kids hate the Tories, Labour are just Tory lite … the Sno ? The kids can regard them to them …..

     

     

    Sorry if Erne Lyncnch & mad mental Mitch boy (with our the H( dint like it ….

     

     

    And one other thing

     

     

    An Tearman

     

     

    Get back on here quick style …but remember dint wrestle with pigs they don’t care about the topic but will always enjoy the mud …..

     

     

    An Tearman … dint ever let the troll(s) get too you

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