Celtic forward Jota left Pat Bonner puzzled during the Bhoys’ 2-1 win against Livingston on Wednesday. The Hoops hero felt he was ‘sluggish’ and off the pace before being replaced.
Ange Postecoglou afforded the 23-year-old 64 minutes at Parkhead as Celtic restored their nine-point lead atop the Premiership table. An own goal from Ayo Obileye (23’) broke the deadlock before Kyogo Furuhashi (45’) added their second with a well-worked team effort.
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Nicky Devlin (45+2’) gave Livi hope of mounting a second-half comeback as he struck home just before the break. But Celtic held on to their marginal advantage to pull further clear at the top of the tree. Even despite Liel Abada seeing the officials rule out his goal for offside.
Jota, however, struggled to offer a consistent threat from the left during his 15th outing of the Premiership season. The £6.5m summer signing from Benfica is also now enduring his longest goal drought so far this campaign at five games and longest assist drought at four.
The former Portugal U21 international appeared to have the beating of Devlin on regular occasions in their midweek matchup. Ivan Konovalov also had to get his body behind one of Jota’s attempts at goal late in the first half. But his attacking impetus lacked in patches.
Celtic hero Bonner claims Jota was ‘sluggish’ during their 2-1 win over Livingston
Sead Haksabanovic ultimately replaced Jota in the 64th minute as Postecoglou made two changes with David Turnbull replacing Reo Hatate. Alexandro Bernabei had also taken over from Anthony Ralston already as the Hoops shifted tact in a bid to maintain their control.
Yet despite his early exit from the action, Jota ended the game having attempted the most crosses by any player. He produced 10 deliveries into the area ahead of Ralston with seven plus Abada and Matt O’Riley (4). But Jota only found a Celtic ace with three, per SofaScore.
Bonner also felt Jota was off the pace for Celtic despite some of the winger’s work causing Livingston issues. So, his night was not as effective as it could have been before going off.
“It’s not been a great night for Jota,” Bonner said on BBC Sportsound. “He’s looked a little bit sluggish. He’s off it a little bit.”
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