FILIPE JOTA will make his first Celtic appearance in 18 months in a bounce game against Falkirk at Lennoxtown today.
The Portuguese winger has been out since being helped off in the first-half of the Hoops’ 5-0 title-clinching triumph over Dundee United at Tannadice on April 26 last year.
Jota had to undergo surgery on an ACL problem that has stalled previous comeback attempts, but he has been given the green light for a full work-out on this occasion as he gets ready to return to Martin O’Neill first-team plans, as reported in the Scottish Sun.
RARING TO GO…Filipe Jota in training at Lennoxtown. Image courtesy CelticPlayer.
The 27-year-old fans’ favourite has been training with the squad for weeks and the friendly run-out is the next step in his rehabilitation.
Jota has not been available to O’Neill since the Irishman’s first return to the club last October and again when he came back in January during his two interim stints as manager.
The veteran team chief will also have Yang Hyun-jun as an option following the South Korean’s enforced absence during his nation’s participation in the Asian Games in Japan.
The in-form flanker will be back following the tournament’s showpiece final tomorrow and, after missing four games, will be a certain starter against Motherwell at Fir Park a week on Sunday.
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