FILIPE JOTA’S last Celtic appearance was in the 5-0 triumph over Dundee United at Tannadice when the champions sealed their fourth successive title on April 26 last year.
There is no chance of the flamboyant Portuguese winger making a long-awaited and welcome return in the crucial run-in to the current turbulent campaign.
Jota will see an entire term obliterated following delicate surgery on the cruciate injury that saw him leave the Tayside venue on crutches almost a year ago.
There are now widespread suggestions the 27-year-old fans’ favourite’s playing career is over.
DOWN AND OUT…Filipe Jota writhes in agony at Tannadice in April last year.
However, interim-manager Martin O’Neill was quick to dismiss the ill-informed rumours and said: “Jota’s been out for a long time. In his rehab, he’s had a couple of setbacks.
“Just when he thinks he’s going great, he gets a bit of a setback.
“I would be hoping that whoever is going to be in charge of the football club that Jota would be ready for pre-season. That’s what I would be hoping for.”
Attempting to put the fears of the Hoops support at ease, O’Neill, speaking to the Scottish Sun, added: “I don’t see this as being a career-threatening injury.
“If Celtic fans are worried because of the length of time he’s taken, I’d try and assure them that he will recover from this.”
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