When Jota arrived at Celtic on a season-long loan from Benfica in the summer, there were a lot of doubts surrounding the Portuguese winger. He was one of the most highly-rated talents in world football while coming through the youth ranks and was linked with a big move to Real Madrid a few years back.

He has not quite found his feet at the senior level though. He failed to establish himself in the Benfica first-team picture and had a difficult time on loan at Real Valladolid last season.

There is no questioning though that he has made a very bright start at Celtic. According to stats from Transfermarkt, Jota has scored 3 goals and provided 4 assists in 9 appearances across all competitions for the Hoops.

With an option to buy included in the loan deal, most fans will be hoping that the club are able to sign Jota on a permanent basis in the future. As reported by The Scottish Sun, Ange Postecoglou said about the Portuguese winger:

“Jota is just starting his career but he’s already fallen in love with Celtic.

“He loves the environment here and the supporters. Who wouldn’t?

“Who wouldn’t want to play for a football club where you get 60,000 cheering you on? The crowd is special.

“Let’s just let him enjoy it. Those kind of decisions will come in due course. From our perspective, I know everyone here is the same, we’ll do what’s best for the football club moving forward, and that will be in line with the player’s wishes.”

Jota has made a brilliant start to life at Celtic since arriving in the summer

Postecoglou’s comments can be viewed as a massive positive. The fact that Jota has fallen in love with the club will only boost Celtic’s chances of signing him on a permanent basis in the future.

It is believed that the option to buy included in the loan deal is around £6.5 million. And if Jota continues to perform like this throughout the course of the season, they should not think twice before triggering it.

It might all come down to the player though and what he wants to do moving forward. And in that regard, it is great that Jota appears to be enjoying his time at Parkhead. This has been his first taste of regular football at the senior level.

This article was originally posted here