Jota hype train derailed as salivating Celtic fans spark Hotline hysterics over megabucks transfer boast
Jota reckons he’s back home after clinching his Celtic return on a bumper five-and-a-half year contract. And Celtic fans hope he’ll soon be joined by another former member of the Hoops ‘family’ with Kieran Tierney’s Arsenal exit edging closer.
Together the pair would see a remarkable £41million profit made by the Parkhead club after they both left in record £25m deals. And William Hutchison, Aberdeen, said: “Welcome back Jota and hopefully Kieran Tierney. To people laughing at us for re-signing these players let me say it is because they are good players and it's not out of desperation. Don’t tell me if you had a chance re-sign your best players you wouldn’t.”
Gordon Ashley, Ayr, added: “I wonder if caller Alan Flett feels embarrassed at slagging off Celtic’s transfer policy? The same transfer policy that has seen us qualify for the next stage of the Champions League, become the world’s most successful football club and leave us on the verge of another treble with £77m in the bank and another £65m to come. Good luck to Rangers selling Rabbi Matondo to raise cash for a new player, Alan.”
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But Philip Borland emailed: “The only reason that Jota has returned to Celtic is because he played just 19 games in the Saudi Pro League and 10 times at Rennes. He wasn't getting picked by the two teams he went to so he came back because Scotland is the only place he will get first team football. If he is that brilliant then why did he only play 29 games for two different teams?”
Graham Roberts, Edinburgh, said: “It's hysterical Celtic fans are salivating about the return of one trick pony Jota and injury-prone Tierney. I hope their physio is on hand when Tierney signs as he may sprain his wrist putting pen to paper. I'm just wondering when the other recent over-priced misfits Edouard, Dembele and O'Riley will be returning. Packie Bonner should get his gloves on stand by as he may be next in line for a return once Schmeichel calls it a day.”
As Jota checked in from Rennes, Kyogo finalised his exit in the opposite direction. And the striker’s decision has left Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, among others baffled, He said: “Kyogo sacrificing Champions League football will go down of the most bizarre decision’s ever from a player who had superstar status at Celtic. I read Craig Moore say Celtic should consider bringing in Jamie Vardy as a replacement but I remember when another veteran goal scorer Ian Wright joined in the twilight of his career and only sold shirts with his name on. I think the answer is to give Maeda an extended run in Kyogo’s position.”
Paul Price, Belfast, said: “I totally agree with Chris Sutton regarding not selling Kyogo especially at this stage of the season. Even if Rodgers had said to him wait until May I don't think he would've have been the type to sulk. Yes I'll welcome back Jota but we'll definitely miss Kyogo’s goals.”
Motherwell were rocked by the resignation of Stuart Kettlewell on Monday after it was revealed personal abuse from fans had reached his family. And William Masson, Aberdeenshire, said: “What an entitled bunch we football fans are. Kettlewell comfortably outperformed his budget in his two years at Fir Park and apparently outscored everyone in the league against the Old Firm. Yet if there's a bad run or fans don't like the style of play we call for the managers head with no thought to the fact these guys are humans with families.”
And Neil Renton, Leith, added: “I feel for Kettlewell and his family if the abuse they were all receiving stopped them going to Well games. For a club with such a strong family identity their supporters need to take a long hard look at themselves.”
Meanwhile Rangers boss Philippe Clement’s complaints over Mohamed Diomande’s red card against Dundee United continued to split opinion. The case goes before the SFA fast track tribunal later today. But Jim McClean, Rothesay, said: “Rangers won away from home and Clement is still moaning, unbelievable! If you lift your hands on the football pitch it is an automatic sending off, it has been the rule since I played football.”
Dr Robert Pender emailed: “What a howler from ref Nick Walsh - but a double howler when he would not admit his mistake after looking at the monitor. He has to be taken out of games for four weeks. Every team and managers will be looking to jump on him for every decision he makes.”