FILIPE JOTA’S injury-enforced absence could stretch to a NINETEEN-MONTH lay-off.
The flamboyant Portuguese winger was last seen in action in the 5-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice on April 26 last year when Celtic clinched their fourth successive title.
It had been hoped Jota would be fir for the kick-off to the new season with the Hoops due to play their opening Champions League qualifier in early August.
However, the bombshall news from Scotland’s title kings is that the 27-year-old fans’ favourite could remain on the sidelines until November.
WALKING WOUNDED…Filipe Jota utilises crutches as he comes onto the Tannadice pitch to celebrate Celtic’s fourth successive title triumph on April 26 last year.
Jota is back in his homeland after suffering rehabilitation blows following a serious cruciate ligament injury sustained in the Tayside encounter.
Asked about the possibility of the one-time Benfica prospect being ready for the 2026/27 campaign, Martin O’Neill confirmed the bad news and, speaking to The Scotsman, admitted: “I can’t see it.
“He’s had a couple of setbacks. He’s now in Portugal, doing some rehab. He’s had one of those little blood injections to try and get the thing up and running.
“With the best will in the world, I’d be hoping maybe around Halloween for a return, maybe earlier.
“But I wouldn’t be thinking about him for the start of this season.”
GOAL-DEN BHOY…Filipe Jota celebrates a comeback goal in Celtic’s 3-1 Premiership victory over Motherwell at Fir Park in February last year.
The x-factor the maverick touchline ace can provide was missed by the champions as they completed a doule-winning crusade with a 3-1 Scottish Cup Final triumph over Dunfermline at Hampden on Saturday.
Jota rejoined the Parkhead club on a five-and-a-half-year deal in January last year having left in a £25million switch to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad.
That move backfired and, following a brief spell at French outfit Rennes, he came back to the Hoops in an £8.5million deal.
He scored five times in 16 appearances in his comeback campaign before sustaining knee ligament damage at Tannadice.
IT’S THE BOOK DEAL OF THE YEAR! You can now own a copy of ‘Celtic 50 Flags Plus One’ AND ‘Celtic Treble Treble’ for only £9.95 plus postage. Two stunning Celtic publications and you can save a massive £20! Order now! Just click the image for details and your books will be on their way. Happy reading!
