CELTIC goal hero John Hartson is mystified at Filipe Jota’s omission from the PFA Scotland Team of the Season.
The flamboyant Portuguese ace has been a key player for Celtic on their remarkable surge to a second successive Premiership title as well as retaining the League Cup.
Jota’s headed against Michael Beale’s Ibrox outfit has set up Ange Postecoglou’s side for the opportunity of a coveted treble when they face Inverness Caley Thistle in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden on Saturday June 3.
PICK IT OUT…Filipe Jota heads the Scottish Cup semi-final winner past Allan McGregor with Daizen Maeda (left) looking on after delivering an inviting cross.
However, the winger, who sealed a permanent £6.5million deal from Benfica in the summer after his impressive loan season, has been snubbed in the PFA selection.
Seven Hoops players – Joe Hart, Greg Taylor, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt, Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and Kyogo Furuhashi – have been given the nod, but, surprisingly, there is no place for Jota.
Malik Tillman, on loan at the Govan club from Bayern Munich, is the player who got the vote from his fellow-professionals and that situation has baffled Hartson.
THUMBS UP…Filipe Jota celebrates a goal against Ross County in Dingwall – but it was a thumbs down for the Portuguese flyer from his fellow-pros in their PFA Team of the Season.
The Hoops icon said: “Malik Tillman is a young player who shows promise. In terms of the big matches where I think Rangers really needed him to stand up, I still think there’s improvement to come.
“Team of the season, on the back of his performances? Maybe there were some better options in my opinion. He is a great talent, but I think he’s probably a little bit lucky to find himself in the Team of the Season.
“You could argue, has he had a better season than Jota? And you wonder why is he in? I think Jota’s had a better season than Tillman. I don’t think he’s really made the difference in games and in the games against Celtic.”
ON TOP…Filipe Jota leaves Malik Tillman stranded as he turns on the style.
Hartson, speaking to the Go Radio Podcast, added: “So, listen, it’s good for the lad. He’s definitely a talent and one that Michael Beale will have a big decision on in terms of whether he wants to sign permanently.
“But, for me, that would be the only one I would potentially look to change. You ask the question: Has Tillman been better than Jota this season. In my opinion, no.”
The PFA Scotland team is: Hart (Celtic); Tavernier (Rangers), Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor (all Celtic); Tillman (Rangers), McGregor, Hatate (both Celtic); Van Veen (Motherwell), Kyogo (Celtic) and Duk (Aberdeen).
