Jota’s return a major boost for Celtic but patience is needed | OneFootball

Celtic’s Superstar from Portugal nears his long awaited return but Celtic supporters have to be patient and realistic as ACL injuries are the hardest to come back from…

Jota of Celtic receives treatment before leaving the field during the ScottishPremiership match between Dundee United and Celtic at Tannadice on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Jota set for contact challenge during the international break, but he shouldn’t be rushed into a comeback. A word of caution is perhaps needed too. Celtic supporters need to be realistic about his hopes of a full recovery…

Jota’s good news welcome during a time of negativity around Celtic

Some good news during a time of negativity around Celtic at the moment when it was revealed yesterday that long term injury victim Jota is being lined up to take part in a bounce game during the international break.

Jota of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Portuguese winger has been sidelined since April 2025 after suffering an ACL rupture in a 5-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice, a result that clinched the league title for the Hoops.

Jota has been making significant progress in training

It’s understood that Jota has been making significant progress in training, but has yet to be tested in ‘contact’ football, so the next step is naturally to arrange a bounce game to get the 27 year old fully prepared for a first team comeback.

Jota of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

If the fans favourite comes through that challenge unscathed, then a first-team return next month is a distinct possibility.

Martin O’Neill previously predicted a Jota return around Halloween

Martin O’Neill has previously spoken of the players recovery, and was optimistic of his chances of a return by around Halloween but that was the timeframe that the Celtic manager originally suggested a few months ago.

Jota of Celtic acknowledges the fans after the Scottish Cup Quarter-Final match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on March 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

However speaking on 7 September, the Celtic boss said via Glasgow Times: “Jota might be ready more quickly than I thought. He’s coming along very well. It’s been a long time, but he’s been doing really well in small-sided matches he’s been involved in.

“Jota’s not been stretched too much yet but that will come for him over this month.”

A return for the former Benfica man would come as a huge boost to the club in light of recent poor results. However, it should be urged as a note of caution that we shouldn’t expect the 27 year old to immediately start showing the ability we know he fully possess.

Jota of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on February 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Jota has endured 18 months on he sidelines

18 months is a long time to have been absent the game, and this type of injury could effect his chances of returning as the same player.

We all hope differently of course, but we all need to bear that in mind.

Add to that the fact that Jota had played very little football since leaving Celtic after the June 2023 Scottish Cup Final win over Inverness Caley Thistle to sign for Al-Ittihad where he was seldom played before moving to Rennes where once again first team minutes were limited.

Jota of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on February 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Jota’s record at Celtic has been exceptional

Jota contributed 28 goals and 26 assists in 83 games over two years at Celtic playing under Ange Postecoglou.  He averaged a goal or assist every 111 minutes, and that’s clearly a level that none of the Celtic wingers are close to achieving.

That standard is what the Celtic fans are dreaming of seeing again from Jota.  Haste ye back son!

Last weekend we got to hear the Maeda song for one last time now this old favourite could be coming back into the Celtic songbook and what a joy it will be to hear it again and watch Jota on the wing for Celtic…

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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