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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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  2. EmeraldBee \o/ A Double Niner!! on

    THE EXILED TIM on 1ST JULY 2022 6:08 PM

     

    MM

     

     

    I agree with the rest of you post.

     

     

    TET, now THERE’s a post you don’t often see! Congratulations on your perseverance and your code-breaking skills.😀

  3. dessybhoy on

    Very happy to see Jota sign on , he will enhance even further the teams ability to create and score goals. Well done Celtic

  4. THE EXILED TIM on

    EMERALDBEE \O/ A DOUBLE NINER!! on 1ST JULY 2022 8:13 PM

     

    It wasn’t hard really, DD, PL and AP, didn’t take that much to work out given I knew the context, when I don’t I don’t even try if the truth be known >:)

  5. bigrailroadblues on

    Ffs the loudest hun at large has blundered in here. And I mean large. The regular patrons are tearing him a new one. Hilarious. I may join in. 😂

  7. Ron Bacardi on

    Quick update on my cancer journey.

     

     

    I had a chemo session today, number 7 of 10.

     

     

    My latest bloods are haematological and biochemical stable. My immunity system has never been compromised either. I am tolerating my treatment extremely well with our toxicity effects. They are also impressed that Iremain fit and active for age 72 and continuing to work as a kitchen assistant in my local gastro pub.

     

     

    My PSA has gone down to 16 from 21 (thumbs up)

     

     

    Plan is to continue with chemo for 3 more sessions.

     

     

     

    Hail Hail.

  16. Gene on

    Ron

     

    I turned 72 last weekend – I’ll stick to being kitchen assistant at home.

  19. Ron Bacardi on

    GENE

     

     

    I work there for four mornings Monday to Thursday from 8 till 2pm. I do it to keep me active and enjoy the crack with the chefs and the front of house folk

  20. Gene on

    Ron

     

    That sounds manageable – it’s important to get out the house and keep active.

  23. GerryBhoy on

    Keep on keeping on Ron!

     

    Plenty of outdoor activity is a big plus.

     

     

    All the best and HH

     

     

    Gerry

  25. IniquitousIV on

    Lewis Morgan, Cameron Harper and Patrick Klimala all start New York Bulls’ 2-1 victory over Atlanta United. The latter two were substituted after 57 minutes and Morgan scored with a penalty.

  26. TheLurkinTim on

    RON BACARDI on 1ST JULY 2022 8:34 PM

     

     

    That’s great news…loving the positivity….wishing you a full recovery

     

     

    FuckCancerCSC

     

     

    H.H.

  29. fanadpatriot on

    Ron Bircardi

     

    Good luck my friend ,keep it going ,I am 76 and still doing a little job to keep me active .

     

    Age is only a number ,and illness is only a nuisance,Keep The Faith HH

  32. !!Bada Bing!! on

    bognorbhoy on 1st July 2022 8:09 pm

     

     

    Jota signs , and Paolo releases a new CD , it is a good Friday 😜

     

     

    That is Adidas Friday

  34. Majestic Hartson on

    Tremendous Ron Bacardi, all the best.

     

     

    Also, if you work in a pub you’ll probably know our very own BRRB 😅 👍🏼

  36. Stephbhoy67 on

    Lennoxtowntown training centre has never been fully developed with about half of the site undeveloped. Even so there are 4 full size grass pitches with undersoil heating,1 astrograss pitch, gk training areas, an indoor hall, gym, office space, changing room etc and groundsman store etc.

     

     

    Barrowfield training complex currently has 2 full size grass pitches, 1 full-size astrograss pitch and a 9 a side grass pitch. Plans to add an indoor pitch, changing facilities and a gym etc are also in place.

     

     

    Once complete celtic’s footballing department will have access to 6 full-size grass pitches, 2 full size astrograss pitches, 1 indoor pitch, 1 9 a size pitch and several goalkeeper training areas, an indoor sports hall, 2 gyms and associated changing facilties etc.

     

     

    If all work is completed as planned the footballing estate is good for our club, yes there is scope to do more I.e. small stands for supporters, grandstand, facilities, improved parking at barrowfield etc.

     

     

    What we don’t need is an indoor football pitch at lennoxtown and barrowfield, 1 indoor football pitch for the club is fine.

     

     

    During priods of bad weather the man, women, B team and academy could use between 9am and 9pm everyday without issue.

     

     

    HH

  37. CamusBhoy on

    Good news Ron, and good to hear that the chemo isn’t too bad for you

     

     

    Keep the faith

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