Jota’s long and winding road back to fitness as Celtic manager gives update

Jota has been sidelined with a serious ACL injury since our title winning day at Tannadice in April 2025.  And that has left supporters wondering if we would ever see him in a Celtic jersey, or a football field for that matter ever again.

Speaking today the Celtic manager, to a certain eased those fears, but also played down a quick return for the man our support calls the ‘Superstar from Portugal’.

Speaking to the mainstream media at the club’s Algarve training camp the Irishman said: “He’s back with us on Monday week. But being back and being fit are two different things. I might be being conservative, it could be Halloween, but we will have a better idea.

“Remember, he’s been doing this work in his hometown, and he’s back here with us on Monday week. So the sooner we get him on the field, the better. He should be out on the grass, yes. I think he is doing a little bit,” O’Neill said as reported by Glasgow Times.

“Again, out on the grass and doing straight-line running for a cruciate, which I know myself because I did it, is different to doing twists and turns and stuff like this here. But he’s been out a long time, and I think he feels as if it’s doing fine.”

Martin had previously suggested that Jota could be back in action by late October, around Halloween time.

He added today: “Until he’s really nearly fit to play, I’m sorry, you just have to dismiss him in that sense. I can’t keep thinking every single day ‘when is he going to be playing.’ I have already dismissed him until Halloween perhaps.

“But who knows how people come back. I’m sorry, it’s rather cruel but you say you just have to leave it, he’s not involved. I can’t worry about something that might be three months down the line.”

The double winning Celtic manager has kept in touch with the Portuguese winger, who is due back in Glasgow permanently after spending a period of time rehabilitating in his homeland.

He said: “I have, yeah, spoken to him a few times, absolutely. We’ve done a little Zoom call there just last week, about ten days ago or something.”

Jota is still a few months away full fitness. Hopefully it’s positive news and not merely kicking the can down the road. Martin suffered an ACL injury during his own playing career and knows just how challenging it is for a player to recover.

Hopefully we’ll all get to enjoy Jota on the wing for Celtic later this year. Fingers crossed.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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