Chris Sutton says Celtic fans need to cool their expectations over Jota's return as the Portuguese star closes in on the end of his injury nightmare.
Jota suffered a ruptured ACL back in April of 2025 and hasn't played since, with his return proving a complicated one, including setbacks aplenty. But the winger competed in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Friday and is now closing in on a return, expected to be back in action by the end of the month.
There has been plenty of excitement around Jota's potential return, and rightly so given some of the highlights he has produced at the club during his career.
But former Celtic striker Sutton has warned that expectations may be a little too great, given the winger wasn't in the best of form following his return from the Middle-East.
“Jota is back. Or at least he’s getting there,” Sutton wrote for the Daily Record.
“I’ve heard plenty of excited Celtic fans saying it this week. The Portuguese star took another step towards his long-awaited return yesterday by featuring in a bounce game after 18 months on the sidelines.
“It’s music to the ears of supporters desperate to see their favourite back in the Hoops. I get that. But I’m urging caution. For me, the big question isn’t whether Jota can still produce magic. It’s which Jota are Celtic actually getting?
“Give me the Jota of his first spell, and he walks straight into my top XI. He gets the captain’s armband. I’d give him a new contract. But the Jota who returned from Saudi Arabia and Rennes wasn’t the same player. Some of that sparkle had gone – and that was before the devastating ACL injury.
“He’ll feel like a new signing. But this isn’t prime Jota. He needs time – and patience – to show he can get back to those levels. I’m sure Martin O’Neill won’t rush him.”
With the return of Yang Hyun-jun from international duty, Celtic should be able to rely on Yang and Sebastian Tounekti on the left to allow Jota a safe transition back to full fitness on the left, but sooner or later, the Bhoys will want to see good form from the Portuguese attacker.
Add us as a preferred source on Google