Former Scotland star Barry Ferguson has insisted that Luis Palma has been a distinct downgrade on Jota in the Celtic squad this season.
Jota moved to Saudi Arabia last summer for big money and Celtic brought in Palma to replace their outgoing star.
Some Celtic fans have bemoaned the absence of Jota this season as the Bhoys have struggled without the winger, who has also not played any football in Saudi Arabia since September.
Ferguson feels that the Portuguese has not been properly replaced and Palma is not of the same quality as the former Celtic star.
He stressed that Jota was a top player who made his mark on big games for Celtic and thinks it is no surprise that the Bhoys have missed his presence in the frontline this season.
The former Scotland midfielder said on the Go Radio Football Show: “Jota is a huge miss.
“He is a game changer in that final third and he wins games of football.
“Palma is a downgrade there is no doubt about that and he is not as good as Jota.
“He was a top-quality performer who did it on big occasions.
“Any team would miss a guy of that quality.”
West Ham were interested in signing Jota on loan in January but there were too many complications towards getting a deal done.
