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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Gavin Berry

Jota branded a 'mercenary' over Celtic exit as Alan Brazil rages on live radio with blast at 'horrible' Saudi move

Alan Brazil has blasted Jota and branded him a mercenary over his megabucks move to Saudi Arabia which he described as “horrible”.

The Celtic-daft pundit pulled no punches over the Portuguese star’s switch to the Middle East with Al-Uttihad reportedly paying the 24-year-old former Benfica man an eye-watering £10 million a year in wages. But Brazil wasn’t having it as he slaughtered the Hoops fans favourite over his decision to quit Parkhead after just a couple of years to become the latest player to chase the cash in the Saudi Pro League.

Record Sport columnist Chris Sutton last week accused Jota of chucking away his career at the top level as he gave up the chance of performing in the Champions League next season. And Brazil took those sentiments one step further as he also questioned former Rangers manager and Liverpool and England legend Steven Gerrard’s decision to head out to Saudi Arabia after he was appointed Al Ettifaq boss.

Alan Brazil on talkSPORT (talkSPORT)

Speaking on the talkSPORT breakfast show, Brazil said of Jota: "If I'm being frankly honest, for a player like him, it's mercenary. It's horrible what he's done.He's just taken the money. I don't like it. It doesn't matter (how much money he's on). You've got to test your ability and you ain't going to test it out there, let's be honest."

It was then pointed out that he could go to Saudi Arabia then come back - with a potential return to Celtic like Brendan Rodgers did on the cards a year or two down the line. But an undeterred Brazil continued: "I don't care. The Rodgers thing is different. Jota is a mercenary. I don't know what Steven Gerrard's doing either."

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