Celtic’s headline signing last January was the emotional return of Jota, a move that generated huge excitement among supporters. The Portuguese winger had endured a difficult period away from Parkhead, struggling to find form and consistency following his departures to Al-Ittihad and later Rennes. His journey back to Glasgow was clearly a personal one, and that emotion was evident when he scored shortly after rejoining the club.
While Jota was not immediately back to his devastating best, that was hardly a surprise given his lack of regular football over the previous year and a half. Even so, he still made a meaningful contribution, finding the net five times across 16 appearances and gradually forcing his way back into the starting line-up.
That momentum, however, was abruptly halted near the end of last season. Jota suffered a serious injury that was quickly identified as a long-term issue, ultimately ruling him out for the remainder of the year and casting doubt over when he would be able to return to action.
Initial hopes had been that the winger would be available again early in 2026. But Celtic have now delivered a more concerning update regarding his recovery.
Celtic confirm setback in Jota recovery
Speaking to the media, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill confirmed that Jota will not feature again this season, effectively ending any lingering hope of a short-term comeback.
The news represents a major blow for Celtic. At his peak, Jota is a game-changer, capable of providing creativity, goals, and unpredictability in wide areas. Those qualities have been sorely missed at times this campaign, with the squad lacking consistent threat on the flanks.
With the injury proving more severe than initially hoped, questions inevitably arise about how Jota will look when he eventually returns. Long-term layoffs can be cruel, particularly for explosive wide players whose game relies heavily on sharpness and confidence.
While it would be unfair to write him off, there is now genuine uncertainty over whether Jota will ever reach the same heights he hit during Ange Postecoglou’s time at the club, when he was one of the most influential attackers in Scottish football.
For now, the focus remains on his recovery. Celtic, supporters, and teammates alike will be hoping he can make a full return in the future and enjoy a fresh chapter at Parkhead, even if that moment is still some way off.