THE SECOND COMING

Jota's Benfica coach says Celts ace will play lead role in Portuguese new wave

- SCOTT BURNS

JOTA has been tipped to become one of Portugal's main men and rocket to the very top of European football by the man who helped light the fuse.

Benfica youth chief Joao Tralhao has helped some of the continent's best players, including Bernardo Silva and Joao Felix, through the Eagles' ranks and he is adamant the Celtic winger is right up there.

Jota forced his way into the Benfica first-team and then went on loan to Real Valladolid but his former coach thinks moving to Scotland has taken his career to a new level.

The 23-year-old had a successful first season where he helped Ange Postecoglou's side to win a double and convinced Celtic to pay £6 million to sign him on a permanent basis.