Inside Jota's Celtic rise to stardom as Benfica mentor reveals what's set him apart from day one

Joao Tralhao insists phase one of Jota’s Celtic mission is already complete. But the Hoops star’s former Benfica mentor has told the Parkhead faithful the best is yet to come from the Portuguese winger who’s found his spiritual home.

Jota’s journey from the Estádio da Luz to the east end of Glasgow has seen Tralhao play a pivotal role as his under-19 coach in Lisbon and he’s backed his protege to graduate to even bigger and better things. The 41-year-old, who was most recently assistant boss at Monaco, is convinced Jota ’s a rare gem with a mindset and desire to improve which is just as impressive as the tricks, flicks and goals

He said: “I really know Jota well as I coached him for three complete seasons. I know him well both as a person and as a player. As a person he has an amazing character. He’s very clever, he has a football intelligence and is very focused. He’s very focused and knows his goals, that focus was clear from the first moment I saw him. He wanted to reach the first team level as soon as possible.

“It’s not easy to find a young player with focus, intelligence and a willingness to be a hard worker. To find such a talented player with all of those qualities is rare but he’s always had a massive working capacity. He has used all of those factors to become one of the best players in the Scottish league and you have seen that already this season.

“Jota’s talent is unlimited. He can play on the right and on the left and can do everything with both feet. He can cross, he can create and he can dribble, he can shoot and he can score goals, that’s the complete player.”

Tralhao is adamant Jota’s transition into the Scottish Premiership hasn’t taken him by surprise and he’s watched the 23-year-old start the