GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 29: Celtic's Jota celebrates scoring to make it 2-0 during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park, on March 29, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Chris Sutton has warned Celtic fans to caution their expectations over Jota.
Yesterday the former Benfica winger came through 45 minutes of a bounce game against Falkirk.
His first action since April 2025.
Celtic fans have dozens of iconic Jota moments but they are mainly from Jota 1Â before his move to Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
Following the emotion of his goal-scoring at Motherwell in February 2025 there has been a few glimmers of magic but that came to a halt at Tannadice.
Over the last 18 months almost nothing has been seen or heard of from the Superstar from Portugal.
He has rarely been seen at matches with reports of a recent spell back at Benfica finalising his rehab.
Sutton knows the toll that long term injury has on players.
In the Daily Record he warned Celtic fans:
I’ve heard plenty of excited Celtic fans saying it this week. The Portuguese star took another step towards his long-awaited return yesterday by featuring in a bounce game after 18 months on the sidelines.
It’s music to the ears of supporters desperate to see their favourite back in the Hoops. I get that. But I’m urging caution. For me, the big question isn’t whether Jota can still produce magic. It’s which Jota are Celtic actually getting?
Give me the Jota of his first spell and he walks straight into my top XI. He gets the captain’s armband. I’d give him a new contract.
But the Jota who returned from Saudi Arabia and Rennes wasn’t the same player. Some of that sparkle had gone – and that was before the devastating ACL injury. He’ll feel like a new signing. But this isn’t prime Jota. He needs time – and patience – to show he can get back to those levels.
I’m sure Martin O’Neill won’t rush him.
From next Sunday at Fir Park Celtic have nine matches through until November 8 and the next international break.
THE JOTA RETURN TIMELINE
With Jota ruled out of the three Europa League ties there are three home SPFL matches that Jota could be involved in.
After a few outings the November international break could be used to increase fitness allowing Jota to play a significant domestic role through the winter months.
How he fits into the current Celtic side is another matter but he does bring well defined skills to the squad.
Mostly used on the left wing the former Benfica man is capable of taking defenders on either side while adding a regular goal threat.
In season 22/23 Jota scored 15 goals including two in the Champions League away to RB Leipzig and Real Madrid.
Since leaving Celtic playing time over the last three seasons has been very limited with 25/26 a complete write-off.
There has been no comment from Celtic on Friday’s match against Falkirk.
I expect nothing from Jota.
He didn’t look anywhere near the player he was on his return, and after a recurrence of this injury, and the spell he has had out, I doubt there is any way at all he will stay fit.
A bounce game is an entirely different proposition from actual competition, and being the type of player he is, this injury is going to be subjected to rigorous testing, not to mention the hammer throwers.
I may be proved completely wrong but I just can’t see a positive outcome for him after this long out.
Desperately needed – If he becomes the old Jota !
Once Jota is fully match fit, he’ll offer more than Tounekti even if he never manages to re-capture the form of his first spell.