Jota return will be like a new signing but Celtic must temper expectations
Jota return will be like a new signing but Celtic must temper expectations
Fri, August 7, 2026 at 3:06 PM UTC
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Jota will be like a new signing when he returns to Celtic but assistant manager Shaun Maloney is urging supporters to "temper expectations" as it could still be a while before the winger returns.
The 27-year-old has been out of action since suffering an ACL injury at Tannadice in April last year but was pictured back training at Lennoxtown on Friday.
Manager Martin O'Neill had previously indicated it would likely be October before the winger would be back in competitive action for the Parkhead club
And while assistant Maloney is delighted to have Jota back training, he's urging patience around the forward's return.
"It's really positive for us," Maloney said of having Jota back in training.
"I've never worked with him. I've watched him, obviously, but we're all excited to get him back. He's still a matter of weeks. Today was the first day he had a full session in terms of doing every drill, but some of it was unopposed, so he's still not in full contact.
"It's still a matter of weeks. It's not going to be two or three weeks. He's still a bit to go, but it is really positive.
"He's had a really tough time and he's had a lot of weeks that haven't been positive. He spent some time in Portugal again, but the last couple of weeks he's looked good. As a coaching staff, we're really looking forward to having him back, it gives us a completely different type of winger."
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When asked if Jota would be like a new signing when he does return, Maloney added: "He definitely will.
"We have to temper our expectation because it has been that long. Cameron Carter-Vickers was out for pretty much all of last season but he had six weeks of pre-season, Jota will need something similar.
"I think it will take him a bit of time to get back to his best but we're all excited to work with him and watch him. It's good news, really good news."
While Jota's return could be some time away, Celtic have signed just two players this summer, the fewest of any Scottish Premiership side.
Even though Maloney is delighted with the two acquisitions up front - strikers Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran, he feels there's still more business to be done.
"I think how we feel about that number nine position [with the additions of Hogh and Duran], I think we would love to feel like that in every position," Maloney said.
"But I'm also realistic that it doesn't work like that in the transfer window. Some things take longer than others.
"But, yes, I think as a coach or as a manager, I think you always want these players as quickly as possible.
"We've done probably over 40 sessions now in pre-season, so you'd love them on the very first day, but you're also realistic. So, in an ideal world, yes, but I think we also have to work with the squad that we have."
Source: “AOL Sports”
