FILIPE JOTA is ahead of schedule in his battle to make a Celtic return after being out for almost A YEAR AND A HALF.
The Portuguese maverick hasn’t been seen since being helped off in the Hoops’ 5-0 title-winning triumph over Dundee United at Tannadice in April last year.
Jota left the ground in crutches that afternoon as the fourth successive championship was sealed and it was later discovered he had sustained a cruciate ligament injury.
Now, though, the fans’ favourite is preparing for his comeback a month or so before expected.
TITLE TRIUMPH…Filipe Jota raises his crutches as he celebrates Celtic’s championship success at Tannadice in April last year.
Martin O’Neill said: “Jota might be ready more quickly than I thought. He’s coming along very well.
“It’s been a long time, but he’s been doing really well in small-sided matches he’s been involved in.
“Jota’s not been stretched too much yet, but that will come for him over this month.”
The Hoops boss overlooked 27-year-old Jota for his 25-man Europa League squad, but it looks as though the flamboyant winger could have been available for the later stages.
O’Neill, speaking to the Scottish Sun, added: “It’s disappointing not to have Jota for Europe.
“He’s been out a long time, and who knows, in the last three games in the Europa League we could have done with him.”
COMEBACK BHOY…Filipe Jota is put through his paces at Lennoxtown.
Crocked Canadian World Cup defender Alistair Johnston is also pushing to return after his hamstring problem.
The right-back has missed the last five games after being taken off at the interval in the second Premiership game of the season in the 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on August 9.
Colby Donovan has been deputising while O’Neill still has Scotland international Anthony Ralston and recent addition Jordan Lotomba on stand-by.
Quizzed if Johnston could be back for Euro games after the international break, O’Neill answered: “That’s what we’re hoping.”
WANT TO KNOW A SECRET? Celtic Confidential is the stunning book that brings the exclusive inside stories behind the headlines. Who was the tycoon who would have ruined Celtic? What really happened the night Kenny Dalglish quit the club? The real story behind Mo Johnston’s sensational move to Ibrox. All is revealed in Alex Gordon’s sixteenth Celtic book which is available NOW. Order a copy and get £5 OFF the cover price of £25. Just click SHOP HERE and your book will be on its way. Enjoy the revelations!
