Celtic Finally Get The Jota News We’ve Been Desperate For – And The Timing Could Be Perfect
Jota is finally set to return to action for Celtic, and with Yang Hyun-jun also due back, Martin O’Neill could soon have natural width on both sides again.
Phillip Cooney 
There has not been much for Celtic supporters to get excited about lately, but this is genuinely brilliant news.
Jota is set to pull on a Celtic shirt again when he features in a specially arranged bounce match against Falkirk at Lennoxtown.
After around 18 months without playing, simply seeing the Portuguese winger back on a football pitch will feel like a major moment.
And Celtic desperately need him.
JOTA RETURN COULD TRANSFORM CELTIC’S ATTACK
Nobody should expect Jota to walk straight back into the team and immediately become the player we remember.
After such a long absence, that would be completely unfair.
However, Celtic have been crying out for natural width and genuine attacking threat. Jota provides exactly that when he is fit.
He wants the ball. He can beat a defender, create chances and make things happen in the final third.
Most importantly, he is a natural left winger.
That might sound like a basic requirement, but Celtic have spent too much time trying to solve problems by moving players around and asking them to operate outside their strongest positions.
Having Jota available on the left would immediately give Celtic a far more natural balance.
YANG RETURN COULD COMPLETE THE PICTURE
There is another reason to be optimistic.
Yang Hyun-jun is currently away on international duty, but Celtic should also have the South Korean winger returning to the squad.
That potentially gives Celtic natural width on both sides of the pitch.
Jota on the left. Yang on the right.
Suddenly, Celtic could have pace, direct running and players operating in their proper positions rather than trying to manufacture solutions.
That could make an enormous difference to a side that has looked short of attacking spark.
MOTHERWELL COULD COME AT THE PERFECT TIME
Celtic have a little over a week before the Premiership meeting with Motherwell.
That gives Jota valuable time after the bounce match to continue building his fitness and prove that his body is ready for competitive football again.
Nobody should rush him. His long-term fitness is far more important than one match.
However, if Jota comes through the Falkirk game without any problems and responds well afterwards, the prospect of seeing him involved against Motherwell suddenly does not seem quite so distant.
Even having him available from the bench would give Celtic another attacking option.
CELTIC FINALLY HAVE SOMETHING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT
The biggest positive is what Celtic’s attacking options could soon look like.
A fit Jota naturally operating from the left and Yang returning to provide an option from the right gives Celtic something they have badly needed – genuine wingers playing in their natural positions.
There is still a long road ahead for Jota after such a lengthy absence, and expectations have to be sensible.
But this is a huge step.
Celtic have badly needed some good news.
Seeing Jota back in a Celtic shirt and on a football pitch again might just be the best news supporters have had in a long time.
I just hope it all goes well for Jota. We need him back but need him 100%
This fantastic news for Celtic, with both Jota and Hyun-Jun available this will create oportunities Kasper Hogg. The midfield is still an area that requires attention yet it remains to be seen if this present board offers any help. Personally I wouldn’t hold my breath. If this season goes wrong Martin O’Neil will be the scapgoat. The sooner we get these pretenders out the better.