FILIPE JOTA may just have convinced Ange Postecoglou he is worthy of a place in Celtic’s starting line-up against Real Madrid on Wednesday after his 11-minute cameo against Livingston.
The fans’ favourite made his return after missing five consecutive games to score the third goal in the 3-0 victory in West Lothian yesterday that ensured the champions had restored their four-point advantage at the Premiership pinnacle.
Jota looked lively against admittedly tiring opponents who had been worn down by the Hoops for the majority of the encounter on the dodgy surface which has proved to be a banana skin to visiting Parkhead sides in the past, including last season.
The Portuguese pin-up wasted no time in attempting to convince his manager he is up for the Champions League task at the Bernabeu in midweek against the reigning European champions.
PORTUGUESE MAN OF ROAR…Filipe Jota celebrates his comeback goal with the Celtic fans at Livingston.
A BIG HAND…Ange Postecoglou once again thanks the travelling fans for their support in West Lothian yesterday.
Reflecting on the hamstring injury that forced the £6.5million recruit from Benfica onto the sidelines, gaffer Postecoglou, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “Yes, I was disappointed for him.
“It is easy to forget he had a great start to the season, he was incredible for us.
“For him to miss the last period, along with Callum, it is disappointing for him more than anything else because he wanted to make an impact at Champions League level.
“He scored against Leipzig, he was looking good and he has worked hard in rehab.
“We still have four games to go before the break and, again in the second half of the year, I am sure he will be back to his best and looking to improve because again he is still a young player.”
An encounter against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu may just be the setting for Jota to flourish on his comeback trail.
CENTURIAN TAYLOR LEADS THE WAY
