I’VE NEVER BEEN FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
Jota says upbringing at Benfica helped him adjust to life at Celtic
Jota believes being brought up under the glare of football-mad Benfica fans was the perfect grounding for being hero worshipped in Glasgow
The Celtic winger admits being the centre of attention for star-spotting Hoops supporters hasn’t been a shock to his system after his experience of the Benfiquistas.
With next Sunday’s Old Firm League Cup Final clash looming, the 23-year-old is desperate to bury the frustration of missing last season’s showpiece against Hibs.
And he revealed being stopped in the street for an autograph will always be a privilege and a sign his side are performing.
He said: “At Benfica the fan base is as big as at Celtic.
“I came from a big club and even from a young age you start to get recognised.
“So I believe that was actually a good thing when I came to Scotland as I was already used to that attention from the fans. It’s just another reason for us to be proud and a sign that we are doing good things on the pitch.
“I’m just proud that they reach out and try to speak to me.”
There were wins over Raith Rovers and St Johnstone which Jota played a part in en route to last season’s League Cup Final but the Portuguese star missed the 2-1 Hampden victory over Hibs through injury.
He said: “Last season I was not part of the cup final because I was injured.
“I had to watch the game from a distance but I was proud of all of the boys and what they achieved.
“I just tried to do my best to provide some support from the sidelines and the energy was good.
“In the end we managed to get the win and lift the trophy, which is always the most important thing.
“As a football player you always want to be involved in the biggest games.
“When that game is about trying to win a trophy you desperately want to be a part of that, I am no exception to wanting that.
“You always feel a bit frustrated, as I was that day, but the boys did a great job to win that trophy.”
Celtic’s last clash with Rangers was early last month – a 2-2 draw at Ibrox that saw Jota climb out of his sick bed to come on late in the game.
He b e l i e v e s fighting through that adversity has only strengthened his resolve as a player.
He sa i d : “As a footballer you always need to be ready to perform, no matter the circumstances.
“Back then, of course, it was not my best moment. But I had to live with that and I tried to f ight against it.
“I believe that these are the type of moments that build you up and make you stronger so I think that’s what happened to me.
“Right now I am feeling so much stronger and I just want to perform better for the team.”
As Celtic attempt to get their hands on the first piece of silverware on offer this season, Jota insists his side are prepared for ever y eventuality – and nothing that has gone before will have any bearing on the outcome.
He said: “Every game is different. This will be a cup f inal and the mindset going into that game is to win, that’s the case for every game. “There are always dif ferent feelings around these games. “It will be a nice game to play in and we just want to make sure that we are the best team on the pitch and to be the team which wins.”