Jota joins the Celts in Lisbon | OneFootball

As Celtic’s summer training continues to gather pace in Lisbon, there was a familiar face present at their double session yesterday (Thursday) at the Cidade do Futebol, where the Bhoys are being put through their paces under the watchful eyes of Brendan Rodgers and his coaching staff.

Jota was in town as he continues his recovery from an injury he sustained on the day that Celtic clinched their fourth consecutive title at Tannadice back in April.

The Hoops’ superstar from Portugal remains positive as his recovery process continues, and, speaking to Celtic TV, he reflected on his current situation in his own bright and inimitable way.

“I’m feeling really well and trusting the process,” he said. “It’s a long one but I am happy with developments and I think I am on the right track to be fit, in good shape and playing football again.

“It’s always unlucky to get injured. But, seeing the timelines, this actually gives me a bit more time to recover.

“It’s just about doing the right things every day so that I can come back well from the injury.

“There’s no point in me going down mentally. I have been through worse in different stages of my life, worse situations.

“So this, compared to other things, it will be nothing. I’m just curious and open-minded about all of the process."

The Scottish champions are training at Lisbon’s ‘City of Football’, nestled in the Jamor Valley just a stone’s throw from the Estádio Nacional where, in 1967, the Lisbon Lions picked up the greatest prize in club football and returned the European Cup to Paradise.

The training facility is also the base for Portugal’s national side and, understandably, there is a sombre tone of reflection present around the place just now, given the recent and tragic passing of national hero, Diogo Jota.

And, in his conversation with Celtic TV, Celtic’s Jota reflected on the sudden and saddening death of the Liverpool forward as he shared his own memories of playing alongside Diogo Jota.

He said: “I struggle to find words about everything that happened. I think everyone in the world of football felt the same thing that day.

“No one can imagine the pain and suffering of the family but these are the moments that people should unite, be with them and be all together.

“I knew him. I played with him in the Portugal Under-21s, and he already seemed like a very mature guy, with a lot of success in football.

“Everyone could look up to him like a father-figure, and this happening just doesn’t make any sense.

“We really need to be strong and together on this, because his memory will live on.

"The things he did in football were amazing. We need to cherish his life, and he built up an amazing family as well.

“Us down here, we’ll still keep up doing our thing, fighting and remembering him for all of the things that he has done.”

Jota's full interview is now available on Celtic TV

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