FILIPE JOTA almost lifted the roof off Rugby Park with his spectacular long-range strike which doubled Celtic’s advantage in the 5-0 runaway triumph over Kilmarnock yesterday.
And then the emotional Portuguese star looked heavenwards as he dedicated his latest wonder strike to tragic Benfica pal Fernando Chalana.
The former international winger of the Lisbon giants, a huge star of the eighties’ side, passed away at the age of 63 on Wednesday following a lengthy illness.
HEAVENWARDS…Filipe Jota dedicates his super goal to tragic Benfica pal Fernando Chalana.
Jota had his hero’s name written on his wristband and gestured towards the sky after walloping in a devastating effort that raged high past the helpless Sam Walker to make it 2-0 following Kyogo Furuhashi’s seventh-minute opener.
It was his special tribute to his one-time mentor and the Hoops ace said: “This week was sad for me because Fernando Chalana died.
“He was one of Benfica’s most glorious players.
“He was someone who marked me through my life. He always believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, so this one was for him.
“He kept saying to me: ‘Don’t be like the others, try to be different.’
“Every game I play I will just play for him.”
THAT’S MY BHOY…Filipe Jota praises unsung hero Greg Taylor.
Jota also praised team-mate Greg Taylor who won the Man of the Match award and performed to such a high standard against his old Ayrshire club that £3.75million Argentinian Alexandro Bernabei remained on the substitutes’ bench throughout the 90 minutes.
The flamboyant fans’ favourite, talking to Sky Sports, continued: “I should speak about Greg because he’s been unbelievable.
“He’s a top player and I think he brings something to every game.
“His standards in every game are just unbelievable and I don’t think he gets enough credit.”
Taylor smiled and added: “It’s another strong performance from us. We have kept our levels so far this season and, hopefully, that can continue.
“It’s a difficult place, a difficult surface and it was difficult weather.
“But it helps when you have players like Jota.”
STARFELT STRIKES FOR FIVE-STAR CELTS
