Jota’s Set To Return In Match Today – Could Be The Spark Celtic Desperately Need

There is finally some positive news coming out of Celtic, bhoys. Jota is expected to feature in a bounce game against Falkirk, taking a huge step towards his return after around 18 months out of action with an ACL injury.

It might only be a behind-closed-doors game at Lennoxtown, but after everything he has been through, it is a moment we have been waiting a long time for. 

And let’s be honest, we could do with a bit of good news.

The last few weeks have been miserable. Defeats to Castle Greyskull and Ferencváros have left plenty of questions hanging over this Celtic team, from the manager to the recruitment and the general lack of confidence running through the side.

We need something to get excited about again. And the thought of Jota pulling on that Hoops jersey and running at defenders is certainly something worth getting excited about.

We have missed this type of player.

When Jota was at his best for Celtic, he gave us something that is difficult to put a price on. He had the ability to take a defender on, beat his man and make something happen when a game was crying out for a bit of quality.

He wasn’t just a player who looked good on the ball, either. During his first spell, he delivered goals and assists.

That is exactly what Celtic need more of.

Too often, our attacking play has become predictable. We can move the ball around, dominate possession and get into decent positions, but there are times when we lack that player capable of producing a moment of magic.

Jota can provide that unpredictability. He can create space for himself, draw defenders out of position and give the opposition something different to think about.

And when teams sit deep against us, having a winger who is prepared to take responsibility and attack his opponent is invaluable.

This is about more than one player.

Jota’s return also highlights a wider issue with the Celtic squad. We have been crying out for quality and creativity, and now we are looking towards a player who has been unavailable for a year and a half to help provide it.

That tells its own story.

We cannot expect one man to solve every problem at the club. The manager still needs to find a way to get more out of the players available, and the board must answer questions about the quality and balance of the squad.

But getting Jota back gives us another option that could change the dynamic of our attack.

That could be particularly important in the difficult fixtures ahead, when confidence is fragile and games might need a moment of individual quality to swing them in our favour.

Patience, bhoys. We need to get this right.

Of course, we cannot expect Jota to walk straight back into the starting eleven and instantly become the player we remember.

Eighteen months is a long time away from competitive football. The bounce game against Falkirk is an important step, but it is not the same as being ready to play 90 minutes at Celtic Park.

The last thing we need is to rush him back, put too much pressure on his shoulders and risk another setback.

Let him build up his minutes. Let him regain his sharpness. Let him get comfortable playing football again.

We all want to see the Superstar from Portugal back doing what he does best, but Celtic need to think about the long term rather than chasing a quick fix.

We need our Jota back.

There is something special about watching a player who genuinely excites you every time he gets the ball. Jota gave us that feeling, and it is something this team has been missing.

Nobody is suggesting his return will suddenly fix the board’s mistakes, settle every argument about the manager or transform Celtic overnight.

But football is also about confidence, momentum and having players who can make supporters believe something might happen whenever they get possession.

Jota has the ability to do that.

So let’s hope Friday’s game goes well, that he comes through it safely and that we can start counting down to seeing him back in competitive action.

We have waited long enough.

Celtic need his quality, his creativity and his willingness to take defenders on. More than anything, we need a bit of excitement back in this team.

Haste ye back, Jota. We have missed you, Superstar.