Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Ex-Celtic ace Jota breaks silence on Al-Ittihad transfer exit talk after first goal

Former Celtic winger Jota has posted a cryptic message on social media after netting his first goal for Al-Ittihad.

The 24-year-old scored for the Saudi club in a win over Al-Wehda after replacing injured Karim Benzema.

Speculation continues that Jota could leave the club just a month after his £25m move from Celtic.

Reports had suggested an alleged fallout at the club with other claims of a plan to ship the winger on loan to free up a foreign registration spot.

However, Jota put the speculation to one side in the 3-0 win on Monday as he celebrated with his team-mates in front of jubilant Al-Ittihad fans.

Now, he has broken his silence on his situation at his new club with a cryptic social media post.

Alongside celebration snaps, Jota captioned the post: "This is not a problem."

It comes after a bizarre pre-match moment saw Al-Ittihad fans lob toilet roll at Jota last week.

Supporters chanted the name of the former Celtic favourite as he walked round the side of the pitch.

On his exit from Celtic, Jota shared an emotional message as he said: "No words will ever express how grateful I am for this ride. Let me tell you something...what a f***ing ride.

"I was scared, I had doubts and I didn't know what to expect from something that in the end turned out to be one of the most beautiful stories ever.

"People often ask me what is so special about Celtic and I think there's no straight answer, there's no fair answer for that.

"The answer lies in such a deep feeling, a sense, an emotion.

"There is this mystical fog flowing around Celtic Park that induces you to this sense of football edge.

"This football heritage gave us unforgettable moments. And you can't just explain it, you need to feel it, you need to respect it.

"I'm such a lucky man to have lived two years of full excitement and getting to evolve as a football player and as a person.

"To the players, to the staff and for all of the involved departments, a big thank you from me. You guys made me better.

"To the fans, and I always say this, you guys found a way of loving me more than my previous girlfriends. And I guarantee you that, we were crazy in love.

"For what matters, I think I have loved you more than them so believe me, I'll love you for life.

"I have recently learned that happiness is not found at the finishing line, it lies in the path. It definitely lies in the path.

"I'm grateful for every raindrop in Glasgow, every trip to the Highlands and wow, those were long, every bit of Glaswegian banter and so it goes on, so many stories, so many things to remember.

"Celtic will always definitely have a special place in my heart and one day my biggest dream will be just to sit down with my kids and tell them about how magical and special this place is because life is all about stories and this one was just unbelievable.

"Today, I become another fan, the ones that live and make the club. Forever yours."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.