Kyogo Furuhashi’s departure from Celtic in January surprised and disappointed the team, but Jota’s return brightened spirits.
Celtic has long been acknowledged and applauded for their transfer market business practices.
But the entire Jota drama has worked in their favor and proven to be a stroke of genius now that he is back in Glasgow.
Just 18 months ago, Jota was making a big-money £25 million move to Saudi Arabia, which the champions couldn’t refuse.
However, following the 25-year-old’s problems in the Saudi Pro League and subsequent issues with Rennes in France’s first league, Celtic took advantage of the situation and signed him back for £8 million in the winter.
Since then, Brendan Rodgers has been cautious with the youngster because to his lack of minutes over the last 18 months, which has been commended.
Brendan Rodgers’ management of Jota at Celtic lauded
Despite scoring in Celtic’s 5-1 victory over Aberdeen last week, Jota was left on the bench for the trip to Paisley over the weekend.
Rodgers made the call to assist the player, and his decision was applauded on PLZ Soccer.
Tam McManus believes it is top management from the Celtic manager, and he explains what would have happened if he had brought him in ‘too early’.
The former Hibernian great stated that if Jota had not been up to speed, he would have been evaluated ‘instantly’ by supporters, and some would have dismissed him by stating ‘he’s not the same guy.
But that hasn’t been the case because of Rodgers.
“I think it’s good management,” said McManus on Rodgers dropping Jota to the bench for the St Mirren game.
“When you are a player, you have come in and you have missed a pre-season. You haven’t been playing much. You get put in too early. The fans can judge you instantly. I think, particularly, at a big club like Celtic.
“If he had thrown Jota in straight away, then Celtic fans would have thought, ‘he’s not the same player’. You give him time to get his legs back in training and get his sharpness up.
“He has plenty of options. He can rotate the team. I think, domestically, Celtic have got plenty in hand to go and win games. I think he has managed the players well. When Jota is 100%, he will probably put him back in.”
Jota’s minutes and stats since his return to Celtic
Given that Celtic were beaten by Hibs last time out, it would be a surprise if Jota isn’t back in the starting XI for the visit of David Gray’s side for the Scottish Cup this Sunday.
Jota is yet to complete 90 minutes since returning to Celtic Park and perhaps this could be the ideal time to do it.
| Opponent | Minutes for Jota | Goals | Assists |
| Motherwell (A) | 25 | 1 | – |
| Dundee (H) | 62 | – | 1 |
| Raith Rovers (H) | 25 | – | – |
| Bayern Munich (H) | 25 | – | – |
| Dundee United (H) | 62 | 1 | – |
| Bayern Munich (A) | 60 | – | – |
| Hibernian (A) | 45 | – | – |
| Aberdeen (H) | 59 | 1 | – |
| St Mirren (H) | 26 | – | – |
However, Rodgers faces some difficult decisions, including who starts in his forward line because some players will be banging on the door.
Super sub Hyunjun Yang transformed the game against St Mirren and will be ready for more minutes.
However, supporters will want to see Jota return to the XI, and the other two – Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn – are unlikely to be dropped for such an important game.
