Martin O’Neill’s Jota reassurance: “I don’t see this as being a career-threatening injury”

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The Celtic Star

·4 April 2026

Martin O’Neill’s Jota reassurance: “I don’t see this as being a career-threatening injury”

After Martin O’Neill confirmed in his behind-a-paywall interview with Gerry McCulloch on Celtic TV earlier this week that Jota alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers were out for the rest of this season, rumours have started to circulate about our Portuguese superstar’s career being permanently hindered by the ACL injury picked up at Tannadice a year ago.

Arne Engels and Nicolas Kuhn look on as Jota receives treatment. Dundee United 0 Celtic 5 at Tannadice Park on April 26, 2025 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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Asked about these rumours that Jota’s career could be effectively over yesterday afternoon by the mainstream media, the interim Celtic manager went out of his way to re-assure the Celtic support that Jota would be back in action next season.

“He’s been out for a long time. In his rehab, he’s had a couple of setbacks,” Martin O’Neill explained, as reported by Scottish Sun. “I had a conversation with him about where he is with all of this. He had a consultation with a surgeon down in London a few days ago. He’s come back.

Jota is assisted by Reo Hatate. Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“Just when he thinks he’s going great, he gets a bit of a setback; it’s just the length of time that you’re out. These types of injuries, you think it’s straightforward, sometimes they’re not and you’re stopped in your tracks when you think you’re going well.

“I would be hoping that whoever is going to be in charge of the football club, that Jota would be ready for pre-season. That’s what I would be hoping for. It has been a fairly lengthy time.

Jota of Celtic celebrates scoring the opening goal with team mate Reo Hatate during the SPL | Premier League match between Dundee United FC and Celtic FC at Tannadice Park on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“I don’t see this as being a career-threatening injury. If Celtic fans are worried because of the length of time he’s taken, I’d try and assure them that he will recover from this,” Martin O’Neill said.

Since picking up his winners medal in the 2023 Scottish Cup Final Jota has actually played very little football. His time in Saudi Arabia, while brilliant for the bank balance, was overall frustrating due to the lack of game-time he was afforded.

Then his move to Rennes followed a similar pattern before he returned to Paradise. An emotional moment at Fir Park after his first goal since his return was quickly followed by the ecstasy of his first goal back at Paradise.

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

However that cruel injury at Tannadice on the day Celtic won the league last season has once again pulled up the hand break on Jota’s playing career. The Portuguese star turned 27 last week and his peak years as a player are now here. Hopefully he is full fit and raring to go come the first kick of the ball next season.

That’s what every Celtic supporter will be longing for. Good of Martin to put our minds at ease.

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