Jota's move to Al-Ittihad has been defended by Martin Boyle as he talked up the Karim Benzema wow factor.
The former Celtic star made a big money move to the Saudi Pro League after just two seasons in Glasgow. Ange Postecoglou brought him on board on an intitial loan deal from Benfica before shelling out £6.5million last summer to make the deal permanent as a priority signing alongside key defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.
The Portuguese winger - who quickly established himself as a fans' favourite - scored 15 goals and provided 12 assists last season including a stunning free-kick in a Champions League defeat to Real Madrid in the Bernabeu. He's moved on for a new challenge in the Middle East and earning mega bucks. Pundits like Chris Sutton have taken a swipe at Jota over his decision to move at such a young age.
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But Hibs star Boyle reckons it is a job opportunity too good to turn down as he teams up with N'Golo Kante and Benzema under the watchful eye of Nuno Espirito Santo. Cristiano Ronaldo is already part of the league while a host of other big names have made the move or are being lined-up with the Hibees attacker reckoning it will be a really competitive league.
He told the Daily Record: “Everyone has their reasons, family reasons or whatever. Because he’s young, he maybe gets a bit of criticism for it but at the end of the day it’s a job opportunity.
“He hasn’t been at Celtic long and he’s made them a lot of money. To be fair, he’s picked a decent team. He’s going to be playing with N’Golo Kante and Benzema. It’s not exactly teams off the grid.
“Fair play to him. I mean Benzema, I won’t speak on behalf of him but he’s won five Champions Leagues.
“Cristiano Ronaldo going to the league set a trend. Seeing players like that go over, I don’t see why others can’t do it.
“It was only a matter of time ‘till everyone jumped on the bandwagon and joined him. It’s going to be a right competitive league.
“I’m sure Jota will handle it fine. He’s a top quality player who has played in big games for Celtic. He’ll be in a good team and supplying goals for Benzema will be quite nice!”
