Jota comeback helps Celtic lift gloom in strong response

After weeks of acrimony at Celtic, the full-time scenes at Fir Park on Sunday provided welcome cheer for a disgruntled fanbase.

Off the back of three straight defeats before the international break – two of them inflicted by rivals Rangers – Martin O’Neill’s side returned to winning ways as they deservedly beat struggling Motherwell 2-0 and returned to the Scottish Premiership summit.

Camilo Duran fired the visitors in front early on and midfielder Benjamin Nygren made sure of victory in the second half.

On top of the performance and result, influential winger Jota made his long-awaited return from injury after almost 18 months on the sidelines and it was the Portuguese who led the post-match celebrations.

Jota had been introduced as a 74th-minute substitute and almost provided an assist with his first touches in a lively cameo.

“I was waiting on this for a long time,” he told Sky Sports. “Just happy to be back. I’ve been working hard, the guys have been helping me as well. It was just the normal nerves, but after I stepped on the pitch everything goes well.”

The 27-year-old was asked about the mental toll of his long spell out of action.

“Imagine if someone takes away your child and I’ve got my child back today – that’s how I’ve been feeling the last year,” he said.

“I found my child again today and I just want to keep it as long as I can.

“I’m feeling very good and I’m ready to play more and more and help the team. I know what I can do.”