Martin O’Neill has finally given Celtic supporters the kind of honest Jota update they probably needed to hear.
After months of optimism around the Portuguese winger’s recovery, the latest comments from the Celtic boss have completely reset expectations ahead of the new season.
For Celtic fans, O’Neill’s update will be crushing, but at least they now have clarity on when they will next see Jota in the famous green and white Hoops.
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Jota will be out until at least October time 😢
Celtic fans, send our superstar from Portugal a message 👇
Martin O’Neill delivers shattering Jota Celtic injury update
Jota is a big favourite among the Celtic supporters and had started believing he could be back for the beginning of the campaign. O’Neill has now completely destroyed that hope.
O’Neill said, “I can’t see it. He’s had a couple of setbacks, he’s now in Portugal, doing some rehab, he’s had a bit of a, one of those little blood injections, to try and get the thing up and running.
“With the best will in the world, I wouldn’t see him starting.
“I’d be hoping maybe by Halloween, maybe earlier, but that’s what I wouldn’t be thinking about him for the start of this season.
“That’s a tough one for him, that’s a real tough one. He’s already been out nearly 14 months.”
The warning signs around Jota were there from the start
When Brendan Rodgers admitted concern after Jota suffered his cruciate ligament injury against Dundee United, most supporters immediately feared the worst.
The scenes after the match only reinforced that feeling. Even during Celtic’s title celebrations, the mood around Jota was understandably sombre.
There were later signs of growing optimism around his recovery timeline. Reports suggested he could potentially return around pre-season.
That optimism has now disappeared completely.
Celtic supporters are better served by realism about Jota
O’Neill’s comments may be difficult to hear, but they are probably far more useful than another vague recovery projection.
Chris Sutton’s warning about the seriousness of the Celtic winger’s situation now looks fully justified.
Supporters can handle bad news. What becomes frustrating is constantly moving timelines and repeated hope that quickly disappears again.
That is especially true when Jota himself is reportedly finding this latest setback extremely difficult emotionally.
The most important thing now is removing pressure from the player completely. Celtic will now have to improve the attacking quality to cope early in the season, but Jota needs time more than expectation.
At this stage, honesty is simply the best thing for everyone involved at Celtic.
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