IT was Jota who applied the finishing touch to Celtic’s opener against Dundee United - and quite the finishing touch it was too – but the away stands rang out to the sound of Celtic supporters exalting Aaron Mooy for his role in the goal.
That came from a recognition of the wonderful cross he dug out to find Jota arriving at the back post, but was also sparked by Jota himself immediately pointing to Mooy and signalling to the travelling fans that the midfielder deserved the lion’s share of the credit.
In fact, Jota even joined in with the song the Celtic support have devised for Mooy, chanting his name over and over the tune of disco classic ‘Daddy Cool’. That was partly down to a desire to see his teammate’s part in the goal recognised, but also – mischievously - because the bashful Aussie doesn’t know where to look when the fans sing their song of praise towards him.
The moment gave a glimpse into the camaraderie that exists between the Celtic players, something Jota cites as a critical part of their form on the field.
“Our team bond is definitely a key factor in our success,” Jota said. “We are always trying to help everyone, every single day.
“And actually, we really like the song! His reaction is always really funny, so that was another good moment for us in that game.
“I was just grateful that he put that cross in and that I could score.
“Does he get embarrassed by his song? Yeah! Aaron is definitely a special guy, but in a good way.
“When the song comes on, it’s always funny for us because we all start to sing and he doesn’t know what to do!
“It’s always good fun.”
It can’t have been much fun for Jota earlier this season though as he struggled to piece together a run of form amid injury niggles and a virus that took a physical toll, but after his storming performance at Tannadice, he feels he is getting back to his sparkling best.
“Yeah that definitely didn’t help, but I’m not someone who is going to look back on the past and cry about it,” he said.
“I just want to recover, be at my best fitness level ever, and to help the team perform.
“I always try to give my best on the pitch, and my mentality and my mindset is to be better every day, to work hard, and to give my best to the team in order to achieve success.
“So, at this time, it is no different. I wake up every day with the same type of philosophy, to develop, reach for bigger things and to be a better player.
“I don’t think in the long term, I think in the short term. My next goal is to help the team win the next coming match, so that is all I’m thinking about right now.
“Of course though, you want to show your best form and be better in the second half of the season, but right now my focus is on the next game.”
The transfer window just past was a far quieter affair for Jota than the one in the summer, when his travels around the globe were frequently interrupted by the Celtic fans he met along the way begging him to sign for the club on a permanent basis.
Having committed his future to Celtic though, he now feels completely settled, and though he has had the odd bump along the way this term, he is in no doubt that the call has been vindicated.
“It was definitely the right decision,” he said. “It was something I wanted right from the beginning, and I’m just really happy to be part of this big family.
“[Speculation] is something that is always in the orbit of football, so as long as you focus on yourself and you know what you really want and the places you want to go, you will be fine.
“Right now, I am really happy at Celtic, enjoying life, and just trying to be the best version of myself.
“I take great pride when I know that I have been helpful to the team through playing my football, and I have helped us to achieve the win. That is always my first aim, and whatever comes personally for me after that, then that comes second.
“Of course, I will always be happy when I score goals and get assists, but performing for this team and helping them to achieve their objectives, that’s always my first goal.”
