I Know It’s Unfair But… Jota Is Finally Playing Again — And I’m Pinning Celtic’s Hopes On Our Superstar

I know it’s unfair.

Actually, forget that. It’s completely unfair.

Jota has been out of competitive football for around 18 months and I’m already sitting here dreaming about him coming back and somehow helping to ignite Celtic’s season.

But after what we’ve been watching recently, what else am I supposed to pin my hopes on?

Stephen McGowan has exclusively reported that Jota is set to take one of the biggest steps yet in his recovery, with Celtic arranging a behind-closed-doors bounce game against Falkirk at Lennoxtown.

That game is set to take place tomorrow and, barring any last-minute change, it will be Jota’s first proper match action since suffering that horrific ACL injury against Dundee United in April 2025.

That feels massive.

Not because Jota is suddenly going to stroll back into Celtic’s starting XI next weekend. He isn’t.

But after month after month of rehab updates, running on grass, individual training and small-sided games, we’re finally talking about Jota playing an actual game of football again.

And bhoy oh bhoy, do Celtic need him.

I make absolutely no apologies for the fact I’m pinning a ridiculous amount of hope on the Superstar from Portugal.

Jota is a one-of-a-kind footballer.

During that magnificent first spell at Celtic, he captured our imaginations because he had everything supporters love. Flair, finesse, arrogance on the ball, the ability to beat somebody and produce something completely unexpected.

But this wasn’t style without substance.

Jota scored goals. He created them. During his first spell he produced 28 goals and 26 assists in 83 appearances.

That’s serious output.

At his best, Jota is comfortably above the average quality level currently available in this Celtic first team.

For me, he walks into this side.

I’d probably have him in it at half fitness, although thankfully Celtic’s medical department will have considerably more sense than I do.

Because the reality is that Jota has been through hell.

His ACL injury has kept him out since April 2025. What was initially expected to be around a nine-month recovery has stretched far beyond that, with setbacks extending his absence to approximately 18 months.

So is it fair to expect him to come charging back and rescue Celtic?

Of course it isn’t.

This is a guy who needs minutes, patience and probably a considerable amount of time before we see anything resembling peak Jota.

But look around this Celtic team right now.

Who else are we pinning our hopes on?

Players who started the season brilliantly have seen their form fall away. Individuals we thought might drag Celtic through difficult periods haven’t maintained those levels.

Collectively, confidence looks shot.

There’s very little spark.

Very little unpredictability.

Very little of that feeling where one player gets the ball and you immediately shuffle forward in your seat because something might happen.

Jota gives you that.

He can take somebody on. He can create something from absolutely nothing. He can score from distance, provide the final ball and, perhaps most importantly, play without looking terrified of making a mistake.

Celtic desperately need some of that personality.

Nobody should expect him to be the Jota of 2022 immediately. Ten minutes might become twenty. Twenty might become forty-five. There will probably be games where he looks rusty and supporters need to remember just how long he has been away.

Tomorrow isn’t about Jota saving Celtic.

It’s about the first genuine step towards having him back.

If he gets through Falkirk safely, suddenly the conversation changes again.

We are no longer counting months.

It’s potentially counting weeks.

And maybe this is the romantic Celtic supporter in me talking. Maybe I’m desperately looking for something positive after a horrendous run of performances.

But if you ask me which player currently at this football club has the individual quality to light a fire underneath Celtic’s season, my answer is very simple.

Jota.

No pressure, Superstar.

But by God, we’ve missed you.