Jota has taken a significant step towards his Celtic return by featuring in a bounce game after 18 months out with an ACL injury. The Portuguese winger last played in April 2025 and his potential comeback arrives as the club leads the Premiership with 18 points from seven matches.
Chris Sutton acknowledged the excitement around Jota's recovery but stressed the need for patience. "I’ve heard plenty of excited Celtic fans saying it this week," Sutton said. He noted that the player who returned from spells in Saudi Arabia and at Rennes before his injury had lost some of his previous sparkle. Sutton believes Jota will require time to show he can get back to the levels that once made him one of the best in Scotland.
"Give me the Jota of his first spell and he walks straight into my top XI," Sutton stated, referencing the player's initial prolific period at the club. The big question, according to Sutton, is not if Jota can produce magic but which version of the player Celtic will get after such a long and challenging recovery. It would be a mistake to count him out, but his rhythm will need to be rebuilt gradually.
Celtic's strong position
The context for Jota's reintroduction is a league table that shows Celtic two points clear at the summit, despite a recent run of three consecutive defeats. Those losses included a 1-0 home defeat to Rangers on September 20 and a 3-1 reverse against Ferencvarosi TC. The team's form has been mixed, with two wins preceding those three losses, but their early-season work has kept them in first place.
Sutton was also asked to name his current strongest Celtic XI, a selection that highlighted other returning players. He rated Alistair Johnston, who is due back from injury this month, as bringing real quality and leadership. South Korean winger Yang is also expected back in the coming weeks, with Sutton describing him as a "100-per-center" who is turning into a physical monster.
In attack, Sutton selected Camilo Duran as his central striker over Kasper Hogh, citing the Colombian's versatility. Duran is the team's top scorer this season with three goals from seven appearances. The midfield featured Benjamin Nygren, whose 26 goals and 15 assists from midfield last season are numbers Sutton said cannot be ignored, even if the player can frustrate fans at times.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor was included, though Sutton pointed out there is no clear succession plan for the veteran. In defence, Cameron Carter-Vickers and the versatile Liam Scales were picked, with Sutton admiring Scales' courage and commitment. The manager, Brendan Rodgers, was referenced as the figure under whom Johnston's game has developed.
The immediate focus shifts to Celtic's next fixture, an away trip to face Motherwell on October 11. Motherwell currently sit ninth in the table. That match could provide an early opportunity to assess Jota's readiness for competitive action, though any involvement is likely to be carefully managed. Fans can check the full schedule on the club's fixtures page and view the senior squad list here.
Read the full report at Daily Record Football
