Jota returning to Celtic feels like nothing more than a fever dream, given everything that has happened since. On 26 April 2025, as the Hoops clinched the Premiership title with a 5-0 demolition of Dundee United, Jota ruptured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament, mere weeks after returning to Glasgow.
Well, 530 days later, the superstar from Portugal has not been seen since, but could that be about to change? Speaking ahead of Sunday's clash with Motherwell at Fir Park, manager Martin O'Neill confirmed as much:
"There's every possibility he plays. He's been training with us now for quite some considerable time. But that was the first time he'd played what I would call a semi-competitive game."Martin O'Neill on Jota's fitness.
The semi-competitive game the 74 year old is referring to is a behind-closed-doors friendly against Falkirk during the international break. O'Neill has previously stated that Jota played 45 minutes of that bounce game last Friday, adding "I know it's a clichéd phrase, but that will definitely feel like a new player coming to the club".
So, could we see the winger in action in North Lanarkshire this weekend? Well, this would be rather fitting, considering Jota made his first Celtic return at the same venue in February 2025. Back then, having re-joined the club, he came off the bench to score, sealing a 3-1 win.
🎙️ “Jota is back!”
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 2, 2025
🔥 The winger marks his return to Celtic with a late goal ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/6FZH7LNj1x
That though was so long ago, as was his injury, that Brendan Rodgers was still in charge, with Jota sitting out the entirety of last season, and all that entailed. During his first two years at Parkhead, under Ange Postecoglou, the forward became an instantaneous fans' favourites, scoring 28 goals in hoops.
He was then sold to Al-Ittihad, when the Saudi Pro League's big spending really began, for £25 million, which remains the club's joint-record sale. However, his time in the Middle East went disastrously, appearing only 25 times for the Tigers, quickly frozen out as Al-Ittihad signed an excess of overseas players, only permitted to register up to seven at the time.
The Portuguese attacker then failed to rediscover his magic at Stade Rennais, thereby re-joining Celtic for £8.4 million in January 2024, with Kyōgo Furuhashi heading in the opposite direction to Brittany for £10 million. Upon returning, Jota scored five times in 22 domestic appearances, before suffering that serious injury on a day otherwise about celebration at Tannadice.
Of course, he will need time, but if the 27 year old can rediscover his best level, he will elevate a forward line exponentially, one largely devoid of the very qualities he possesses.
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