Jota dusts off Celtic cobwebs in time for Rangers as he goes back to basics for Viaplay Cup final form

Jota has gone back to basics to again produce the brilliance.

The winger has recaptured his sparkle at an ideal time as he prepares for his first Cup Final at Celtic. After a blistering debut season in Glasgow and the subsequent completion of a £6.5 million permanent move to Parkhead, Jota kicked off this term in majestic form. Stunning goals such as one against Aberdeen on the opening day of the season, another long-range special at Kilmarnock and a wondrous finish in the 4-0 win over Rangers typified his outstanding contribution. Jota kept up pace with goals in Leipzig and Madrid during the Champions League group stage campaign, but in a spell before and after the World Cup break, the Portuguese’s lights dimmed.

Eight games without a goal must feel like an age for a player of his quality. However, in recent outings, Jota has shown clear signs of returning to peak powers. Sparked by the creation of an equaliser for Kyogo Furuhashi against Rangers after coming off the bench, the 23-year-old is motoring towards full pelt again as the sides prepare to meet again at Hampden. Returning to the scoresheet against Kilmarnock in the game immediately after Ibrox, Jota has been back displaying his impish creativity on a regular basis for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

The attacker was out injured when his team lifted the trophy last season by beating Hibs in the final, but he’s ready to go for Sunday’s showdown at Hampden. Former Celtic attacker Simon Donnelly acknowledges the changing of the gears in terms of the winger in recent weeks as he explained: “I think he is getting back to top form.

“After starting the season like a house on fire, his form had dipped a wee bit for whatever reason. You don’t know sometimes what can happen.

"T