Is Jota’s Celtic return being fast-tracked due to Michael Nicholson’s inability to work at pace in the transfer market?
Jota returned to training yesterday, but let's hope his return doesn't slow the board's already glacial pace in the transfer market...
Eric Knott 
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 07: Johnny Kenny (R) and Jota during a Celtic training session at Lennoxtown Training Centre, on August 07, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
There was some really positive news yesterday as Felipe Jota returned to first team training for Celtic.
Looking fit and in shape, Shaun Maloney informed the media that he saw out his first session without any issues.
With Celtic drawing closer to finalising a deal for Haissem Hassan, it looks like a fully fit Celtic frontline of Yang, Tounekti, Jota, Høgh, Duran, Hassan, and Jamesie Forrest could be pretty lethal.
Inevitably, Shaun Maloney referred to Jota as like having a new siging.
And considering the lengthy 16 month lay off the Portuguese winger has had, you could forgive him for saying that.
However, even when Hassan arrives, which will most likely be sometime next week, we will still have managed only 3 signings to date in this transfer window.
Snail’s pace doesn’t do it enough justice.
Yes, I understand that the manager keeps talking about quality over quantity.
But people seem to forget that with 15 players and counting out the door at Celtic Park, we are right in the thick of a major rebuild.
With only 3 players in the door.
Well, 2 and 1 not quite there yet.
As we know, anything can happen at Celtic with Michael Nicholson leading transfer negotiations.
So, as usual, I’ll see the Hassan deal as done when I see the player in a Celtic jersey.
In light of Jota’s return yesterday, you would imagine that Michael Nicholson and the board will feel the pressure is off when it comes to attacking options once Hassan is in the door.
However, that attitude should not be to the detriment of Jota’s recovery.
And by that I mean that Michael Nicholson will most likely take Shaun Maloney literally when it comes to his view that Jota is like a new signing.
You would hope that his return to the Celtic first team is not being fast-tracked due to Nicholson’s inability to work at pace on transfers…
Both Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney could be forgiven for thinking that way.
Especially when you consider the glacial pace of this summer’s transfer window.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s fantastic to see Jota back at training, but we all want a fully fit and firing Jota when he takes to the field of play.
Having said that, Shaun Maloney’s comments regarding his recovery are pretty reassuring.
As per this morning’s Record, he had this to say:
The medical team are really important. As can happen in longer injuries, he’s got a really good connection with the physios.
They’re probably the more important than us. I think constant communication with them has probably helped.
And the boss as well. I think we’ve all been on Zooms with him when he’s been doing his rehab in Portugal. Fozzy is the most positive guy in the world. He’s been really, really good with him.
But also Martin. Martin’s been really, really good with him in terms of constantly being in communication.
That’s all peripheral stuff. I think the main guys that he’s relied on is the physical and the medical team. The medical team and him have really been inseparable.
They have to take any sort of credit rather than us – every week or once a fortnight speaking to him. These guys have been on daily communication with him. I think the last couple of weeks have been really positive.
It seems that the medical team and the management team are all aligned.
Let’s hope that the board are just as aligned…
What we have to hope from here on out is that we see the same Jota we saw in his pomp once he’s fully fit.
Because a fit and firing Jota always did a lethal job for Celtic.
On his day, he was unstoppable.
And Ibrox defences were terrified of him.
His link up play with Daizen Maeda was, at times, devastating.
We’re all looking forward to seeing him in a Celtic shirt again soo.
Shaun Maloney couldn’t give a definitive timeline, but I will happily wait until he’s ready.
I’m sure it will be well worth it.
Bem vindo de volta, Jota!
Key Takeaways
- Felipe Jota returned to first team training for Celtic, looking fit and healthy after a 16-month absence.
- Celtic hopes to finalize a deal for Haissem Hassan soon, but has only made 3 signings this window.
- Jota’s return provides a boost, but concerns exist about fast-tracking his recovery due to slow transfer activity.
- Shaun Maloney views Jota as a new signing, which adds pressure on transfers but should not rush Jota’s recovery.
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Phillip Cooney 
Bhoycie 
Signing quality players for big fees takes time….
Would you rather have the Ibrox approach and sign up the dross they have added!!
Only Daizen was contributing out of the players who have left!!
Although I can’t stand the board,it is churlish not to acknowledge that the quality of players targeted has went up several notches to MON satisfaction yet we still have countless blogs from the trinity tits saying he’s walking out etc.
Fat boys article on Celtic failing duty of care for MON should ensure he is never part of the fan media recognised by the club ever again.
Give your opinion, much of which I disagree with but that’s your right. No need for the abuse, it takes away from your points.
The quality of the 2 players we’ve signed, as opposed to the 6 more we need you mean?.
Hurrah, we replaced a player 18 months after we first needed the replacement. No wonder we get no where trying to hold these people to account, too many fawning sycophants, in spite of you denial/qualifier, which are meaningless.
Ps as John says you can leave out the personal attacks when you comment.
It’s not abusive when they have written it in black and white so maybe you should have a read.
It’s Celtic and Martin who are being abused.
Check out the article that calls Martin a lame duck.
No. Jota is clearly ready to train.
I hope the medical people and coaches are cautious and don’t buckle under the boards pressure because of their failings .keep it up Eric as you and ur ilk are shining a light on celtic board . If there was no pressure applied we’d have been given a lot of loans and unready Celtics b team players
Any writer expressing opinion piece has a responsibility to provide evidence. While presenting ‘evidence’ in the form of reference to a pattern of past conduct might have some credibility, it is not a concrete base upon which to present serious argument. Even although the reputation of Celtic’s Board is at best questionable, and generally unacceptable beyond doubt, it does not provide a legitimate springboard for linking Jota’s first steps on the training ground to the Board apparently influencing the players recovery programme.
The Sports Science staff, and the coaching team, deserve to be presented as carefully managing Jota’s return to fitness. Puff pieces are exactly that, making little positive contribution to discussion. In this case, avoiding flimsy speculation, and enjoying the fact that one of our most influential players is now on the way back should be the welcome focus. It’s unnecessary and inappropriate to drag the Board into this topic, especially as there are many other areas of their performance which justify serious analysis and criticism.