FILIPE JOTA is on course to go into double figures for his second successive season since being introduced to Celtic as a loan signing from Benfica at the start of the Ange Postecoglou revolution.
The flamboyant Portuguese winger claimed 16 strikes in his debut campaign which persuaded the Hoops to splash £6.5million to make his move permanent from the Portuguese giants.
And Jota headed in his ninth of the term from an impossible angle in the 2-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday as the champions maintained their nine-point advantage at the top of the league.
LAUGHING CAVALIER…Filipe Jota has a joke at the press conference this afternoon.
However, the 23-year-old touchline trickster is not concentrating on individual acclaim as he prepares to once again play his part when Postecoglou’s men host Livingston tomorrow night.
Jota said: “The most important thing is the core of the team and the philosophy of how the manager wants us to play, so whenever we stick to that then we are closer to achieving success.
“I am someone who looks every day to be better and to develop my skills, fitness, tactical aspects and it’s what I try to do.
“I wake up with the same mentality to learn from everyone and be better.
“We know if we are performing well then we will be closer to winning trophies, so that’s our mentality.
“We just focus on the present and what comes in the future will come. We have our goals, but today is the day to be the best version of ourselves and that’s what we will do.”
JOY BHOY JOTA…the Celtic winger celebrates his headed goal against Dundee United at the weekend.
Livi will arrive at Parkhead in a good run of form while sitting fourth in the Premiership and will once again present a challenge.
Jota, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “It will be a tough game and one where we will focus on ourselves and try to do our best and perform to win for the Celtic fans.
“We definitely focus on ourselves, we know the strengths of other teams, but, in the end, it’s about us and that’s what we focus on.
“Then it’s about adapting to what comes in the game, but we will definitely be ready for that.”
Asked about coming up against blanket defences, Jota added: “Sometimes it’s difficult to do stuff because teams are so deep and it’s difficult to find the space, but we need to be ready for everything.
“The best players at the top level need to deliver in every game against every tactic, so we look to do the best that we can against all teams.”
*CQN will be covering every move at Celtic all the way through to the final curtain call at midnight. Please continue to watch this space!
