From the moment he made his debut last September in a home win over Ross County, Jota became a fans’ favourite, and he scored some crucial goals in the campaign, including match-winning goals in two games against Aberdeen and a strike in the final Glasgow derby of last season.

And he also provided an invaluable 14 assists, including a memorable 60-yard defence-splitting pass in the Europa League game against Ferencvaros at Celtic Park, which set up Kyogo to score a stunning goal.

Playing in front of the Celtic support, whether home or away, was a major highlight of last season for the player and one he can’t wait to replicate this time around.

“I really missed the Celtic fans and Celtic Park, the atmosphere,” he said of the close-season break, “and even the away games, I think they are terrific. It’s something that I was not expecting and it really pushed me.

'I just want to get back on the pitch as soon as possible and to do our thing because we want to do better this year, and we are going to do better this year.'

The new season will see Ange Postecoglou’s side target all three domestic trophies, while there is the exciting prospect of UEFA Champions League group-stage football to look forward to.

“Ange has a philosophy of the game which wants us to be better in every training session and every game,” Jota explained, “so he aims for us to be better and better every week, and that’s something a player likes because there’s no point staying on the same level always.

“You want to develop, you want to be better and you want to achieve others things, and in here at the club we’re ready for that and we’re getting ready for all the competitions ahead.

“Pre-season is always a very important time for us to prepare for what’s ahead because during the season we don’t have the time to be meticulous about all our tactics or whatever.

'So we need to work hard now because this will be the place until the end of the season, and that’s what we’re going to look for, to get the mind and the body ready for what’s coming.'

“Trophy Day was amazing. Once we got to the celebrations, everyone just entered in a pure state of freedom and that’s what happened.

“And I just want that thing to happen a lot of times, to give the joy and the happiness to our fans, and let’s work. We are here to work.”

Jota: I fell in love with Celtic and now I’m here to stay