Jota: Everyone is focused and fighting for the same goal

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Celtic F.C.

·4 April 2025

Jota: Everyone is focused and fighting for the same goal

The Hoops are back in action this weekend, with a trip to Perth on Sunday to face St Johnstone (KO: 12noon) as the champions close in on yet another league title.

It’s been a brilliant season domestically so far for Brendan Rodgers’ men, with the League Cup already secured, a 13-point lead at the top of the Premiership table and a place in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup.

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But despite the potential glories of the next two months, Celtic’s No.7 says that the Bhoys are just taking each game as it comes.

Speaking to the media ahead of this weekend’s match, Jota also highlighted the positives of having players in the first-team who have already gone the distance and helped achieve success for the Celts.

Jota said: “The mindset is game by game. Everyone knows exactly what to do. We just stick with our principles and I think everything will go through.

“Having lads who have been in this position for several years is really good, and then it’s about passing that culture to the young lads coming through.

‘In the end, it’s just a matter of putting everything together and fighting to the same goal.’

“The structure of the team is made for each player to have success in each position.

“It’s up to us to be competitive in the games and reach our goals.”

Jota’s return to the club in January has proved to be a success for both parties so far, with the Celts benefitting from his attacking style of play and the player clearly feeling at home in the Hoops.

Since making his return, the winger has netted four goals and has shown the qualities that made him a fans' favourite during his first spell with the club.

But the Portuguese says that he is determined to continue to improve and develop, and emphasised that playing matches is the key to progression.

“It has been a good couple of games,” he said. “I’m still trying to be in my best shape, and I know that will come, definitely. But I’m happy with how things are going.

“I just go day by day, work hard and try to be the best version of myself.

“There’s nothing better than playing games. You develop a lot once you’re in the zone in the games.

“No amount of training can give you what the game can give to you. You can train hard and that’s important, but the game is always the ultimate thing.

“For me, it’s what I get most passionate about and that’s where I want to perform.”