‘Intriguing’… Celtic told what Jota’s nightmare injury means for Dermot Desmond and Brendan Rodgers talks

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Celtic enjoyed a terrific afternoon at Tannadice last weekend as Dundee United were swept aside.

The Hoops won 5-0 to seal the Scottish Premiership title with four games to spare and confirming Rangers will go trophy-less for yet another season.

However, the sour note from the glorious day was Jota’s knee injury. Of course, it was unknown then how long the £8m Portuguese winger would be out for.

But when it was confirmed he will be out for potentially nine months, Celtic were dealt a severe crushing blow.

And Hugh Keevins thinks Jota’s nightmare injury will influence majority shareholder Dermot Desmond and manager Brendan Rodgers‘ summer transfer talks behind the scenes.

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Hugh Keevins on potential impact of Jota’s Celtic injury

Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, Keevins said Jota’s horrible situation will set off a chain reaction involving Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda and Celtic’s overall summer transfer strategy.

Keevins insists Kuhn now cannot be sold, the same going for star man Maeda. And the pundit reckons Celtic’s biggest priority has shifted to keeping their star players and bringing new ones in.

He said: “I tell you what, it affects so many other situations. We’ve been talking about Nicolas Kuhn and possible bids coming in. Right away, Celtic can’t further diminish their squad by selling Nicolas Kuhn or Daizen Maeda.

“They have this week announced the biggest shirt manufacturing deal in the history of the Scottish game, £25m to Celtic.

“That can be devoted to bringing in other players because other players will go from Celtic, Jota’s loss for almost a year and Kuhn can’t be allowed to go anywhere else and others have to be brought in, they’re short.

“It makes the talks between Dermot Desmond and Brendan Rodgers in the summertime all the more intriguing and important for Celtic because Jota is lost to the club for a long time.

“James Forrest, the most decorated Celtic player, but fast approaching the end of his career. Yang, people can argue the merits and demerits of Yang.

“Nicolas Kuhn, the speculation surrounding him. Celtic now need to focus on bringing players in.”

Celtic’s wingers and their 2024/25 stats so far

Maeda and Kuhn are the two players Celtic must absolutely keep in the summer, unless transfer bids are lodged that are too good to turn down.

See Matt O’Riley last year. The Hoops would have been silly to reject a £26m offer for the Danish international, the same goes for Maeda and Kuhn.

Forrest and Yang are on the periphery, but both can still contribute next season. Forrest is ever dependable and has experience, while Yang is improving with every game he plays.