Andy Walker shares ‘big worry’ about Jota following latest injury news on Celtic star

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This time last season, Jota was making a surprise comeback to Celtic.

Even though Kyogo Furuhashi was heading for the Celtic exit door and joining Rennes to the disappointment of the supporters, the return of Jota was that comfort.

But whilst football is financially rewarding of the highest order for players, and they get all the support they need, it can also be extremely cruel.

Unfortunately, Jota is now going through that, following his serious injury against Dundee United last season, and Andy Walker is now really worried after going down the same path during his career.

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Andy Walker on Jota ‘worry’ amid long-term injury for Celtic

Jota suffered a cruciate ligament injury last April and was expected to miss ‘six to nine months’ of action, but now, he won’t return this season.

Martin O’Neill confirmed the bitter blow for Jota in his recent press conference, and Walker told Go Radio that it is now a concern for the player’s career.

The former striker explained that he ‘suffered that same injury’, and he was also ‘out for the best part of a year.’

Walker worries that, given the amount of time the all-action winger has been out for, you start being told ‘your career is on the line’ if he doesn’t get back by a certain amount of time.

That’s the last thing a professional footballer wants to hear, especially one who is 26-years-old and at the peak of his powers.

“What a huge blow it is, not to have Jota anytime soon,” said Walker. “The amount of time he has been out.

“I mean, that is a big worry. I suffered that same injury. I was out for the best part of a year. You are told things like ‘your career is on the line if you can’t get back by a certain time.’

“So, I really feel his pain. But again, you should be trying to, not to replace Jota with the amount of money that someone like that might cost.

“But I am just amazed that Celtic have not a striker, a centre-back, and a wide player already lined up for this window.”