“I just feel like I’m back home” – Jota helps Celtic to a dominant win at Fir Park

Today, we saw a completely different Celtic.

Finally.

After three defeats on the bounce before the international break, I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting much at Fir Park.

And I wasn’t alone.

But from the first whistle this was a team on the front foot, using a high press and hunting Motherwell down every time they touched the ball.

Camilo Duran had us in front early doors, inside nine minutes, and Benjamin Nygren settled the nerves in the second half.

Motherwell 0, Celtic 2.

It could, and should, have been plenty more.

We created 25 chances against Motherwell, and 15 of them were on target

I’m not a man who argues from the numbers, as regular readers will know.

But sometimes the numbers say it better than I can.

Twenty-five chances.

Fifteen on target.

That is some change from the last time we played the Ibrox side, when we managed just five chances in the whole game.

Five.

Same manager, same group of players, and a completely different team – you couldn’t make it up.

So what changed?

Your guess is as good as mine, but whatever was said after those three defeats before the break seems to have had an impact.

And credit where it’s due, because it’s not all that long ago I was asking if anybody in that dressing room was listening.

Somebody was.

The return of Jota changed the dynamic of the game, and we could see the quality straight away

Then there was the moment we had all been waiting for.

Jota was back.

It took 533 days, a cruciate ligament injury and the best part of a year and a half of rehab to get him there.

And the roar when he came on was the BIGGEST I’ve heard at a Celtic game this season.

Even on the road.

He summed it up himself afterwards, saying he just feels like he’s back home.

Who are we to argue with that?

He and Haissem Hassan came on together, and the game changed immediately.

Motherwell hadn’t been all that threatening before that, and if we’re being honest they didn’t look the part at all after it.

Jota almost made an instant impact too, fizzing a low cross into the box that was only scrambled clear at the last gasp.

You could see the quality he brings to the side from that one touch.

Now, he’s only had a cameo, one swallow doesn’t make a summer, and I’m not going to get carried away.

Then again, I think we all needed this.

There is no doubting Jota will send in the kind of balls Kasper Hogh needs to score goals

Which brings me to the big Dane.

Hogh had a frustrating afternoon, and he looked it.

He didn’t connect with crosses, and he didn’t always get onto the balls that were threaded through for him.

He did, to be fair, have a hand in Nygren’s goal, and that’s worth noting.

But strikers are judged on goals, and the big man is still waiting on his next one.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – he’s a player who needs good service.

Quality balls into the box, delivered early and delivered often.

And there’s no doubt in my mind that Jota will provide them.

Give Hogh that and the goals will come.

At least, that’s what I’m telling myself…

Our rivals banked on us dropping points today, and it didn’t happen

Let’s not forget the bigger picture either.

The Ibrox side went top of the table yesterday, and you could almost hear them celebrating from here.

They were banking on us slipping up today so they could stay there.

They got their wish for about 24 hours.

Then we went to Fir Park and took it back.

Ask the SMSM about that tomorrow, and see how long it takes them to move on.

It isn’t over, of course, because it never is with this lot.

We still have a gruelling Thursday to Sunday schedule, while the Ibrox side get to play on Saturdays with their feet up.

But for tonight, at least, we’re back on top.

Now we look forward to Benfica, and maybe we can be a bit more optimistic

Which leaves us with Benfica in midweek.

A game most of us were expecting to be an ordeal, if I’m honest.

Now?

Who knows.

Jota won’t be playing against his old club, as he’s been left out of the Europa squad, and I understand why.

Nobody wants to rush a man back after 533 days.

But the lads will be walking into that stadium with a win under their belts and a bit of confidence in their step.

That’s more than we could have said a week ago.

And that, my friends, is a good place to be.

Don’t mistake this for the board getting a free pass.

The protests continue, the problems upstairs haven’t gone anywhere, and the Green Brigade have made their feelings very clear.

I’ll be back on that one soon enough.

But for now, let’s enjoy this one.

We’ve earned it.

Bring on Benfica!

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