Celtic Team News: Jota Return in Frame as Tierney Declares Himself Fit
Tierney is ready to return and Jota could be involved, but Celtic still have fitness concerns ahead of today’s Fir Park match.
Phillip Cooney 
Celtic face Motherwell at Fir Park today with Martin O’Neill hoping to welcome back key players and stop a difficult run of results.
The Hoops have lost three games in a row: twice against Rangers and once to Ferencváros in the Europa League. They now need a strong response in Lanarkshire, but O’Neill must balance that urgency with care over players returning from injury.
Tierney ready, Jota could feature
Kieran Tierney is the clearest boost. The defender missed Scotland duty with an ongoing issue, but says he has trained this week, feels good and is ready to play. His availability gives O’Neill another option at left-back as Celtic look to tighten up and bring more energy down the flank.
Jota is also in contention. The winger played 45 minutes in a closed-door match against Falkirk during the international break. O’Neill said there is “every possibility” he could be involved, but stressed that it was Jota’s first semi-competitive game after a long spell out. A place in the starting team would be a major step; a place on the bench may be the more cautious route.
Doubts remain in defence and attack
Cameron Carter-Vickers missed training and is managing a strain. O’Neill said he would assess the defender, so his status remains uncertain. Yang Hyun-jun is another concern after a hamstring injury kept him out of South Korea’s Asian Games run and he was not seen in training.
Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand are both working their way back. O’Neill has indicated that the club wants to manage their returns carefully, which makes an immediate start less likely. Landon Emenalo is expected to begin training with the group next week.
Motherwell report no fresh concerns from international duty, but Dylan Williams is out for several weeks with a hamstring problem. Regan Charles-Cook is still working back to fitness and will not be ready for this match.
Kick-off and TV details
Motherwell v Celtic kicks off at 12 noon today, Sunday, October 11, at Fir Park. The match is live in the UK on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Ultra HDR, with coverage starting at 11am. Celtic supporters outside the UK and Ireland can watch through Celtic TV.
The confirmed starting line-ups are due closer to kick-off. Until then, Tierney’s return and the possibility of Jota’s first appearance in 18 months are the big talking points for Celtic.
