Martin O'Neill has provided an update on Jota's bid to reach full fitness following the winger's impressive performance off the bench during the week. The Portuguese winger came off the bench for Celtic at half-time during the 2-2 draw and provided the assist for the second goal.
It was the sharpest Jota has looked since his return, and it has fans questioning when he can return to full fitness and get full clearance to start.
“Well, I think that’s a little off at the moment," O'Neill has said in response, adding to his update earlier this week. "Yeah, a little off. When he was here the first time, obviously, I wasn’t here.
“I hear very good things about him. He was a really fine player. And yeah, so if he could get back to that type of form, which is going to take a little bit of time, having been so long out of the game.”
He added on the introduction of Jota at half-time: “I thought we needed it. Young Callum Osmand, his natural position is a striker or playing alongside somebody that’s got a bit of strength. I’ve been really pleased with him. But we made the changes.
“Kasper, again, I thought worked really hard in the match for us. He set up the goal for us as well. But we just wanted a change, and we thought, ‘We’re going to go wide with the two players who can take people on.’
“Yeah, sometimes you’re gambling as well. So, as I said to you about United on the break… and then one occasion, we played a short corner, lost it, and Mika Baur makes a fantastic effort to get back and save the night for us. But yeah, we’re still pleased with the team.”
Jota will be a brilliant addition when he is fully cleared, and it's likely he can start now, but it would mean almost guaranteeing a half-time substitution, which is why he has started off the bench so far.
But the last thing Celtic want to do is risk the winger on the back of an 18-month injury, and given what the fan favourite has been through with his injury, no one will begrudge him avoiding as much risk as he possible can in his bid to return to full fitness.
Still, the excitement will continue among fans as long as he is producing cameos like Wednesday night.
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