Ange Postecoglou hasn’t set a time limit on when Jota will return to Celtic.
The winger made a huge impression last season on loan from Benfica and appeared to be keen on making the move on a permanent basis.
While Celtic sorted out a deal for Cameron Carter-Vickers on June 10 they have still to come to agreement to bring back the other loan bhoy from last season’s title winning squad.
During the last six weeks Jota has holidayed with team-mates in Ibiza and had a kickabout with Celtic fans in New York but the contract to bring him back to Glasgow remains unsigned.
Discussing his transfer options, Postecoglou told Celtic TV:
I thought in the January window we worked more methodically. We knew what we wanted and we got them in early.
It’s the same this time – I’m not one to rush things. For me, the most important thing is to get the right players in. That’s the key for me and it’s not just about them as players, it’s about them as people. For that to happen we can’t put time-lines on things.
Obviously, the earlier we can get players in the better. We have a unique scenario this year in that we have got a clear pre-season without any competitive games which is a great advantage for us.
So for me, apart from strengthening the squad, just being able to work with the group of players we had last year in pre-season is going to be invaluable as well.
Most of the players either missed pre-season or we threw them in during the season. So working with this existing squad over the next three or four weeks with the coaching staff will be invaluable.
Ben Siegrist was the only new face training today at Lennoxtown, next Monday Celtic step up their pre-season preparations by flying to a training camp in Austria where they will play two matches- with fans anxious to see Jota back involved.
