There has been a bit of a returning theme to Celtic in recent times.
Kieran Tierney is back in Celtic colours, alongside goalkeeper Ross Doohan, this summer, whilst Shaun Maloney has returned in a coaching role.
But it all started with Jota’s comeback during the winter, 18 months after his big sale to Saudi Arabia and struggles in the Middle East, as well as in France.
Despite scoring on his second debut for Celtic, it ended horribly for the winger because he suffered a long-term injury towards the back end of last season.
And with the players now in Portugal for pre-season, the club sprung a pleasant surprise.
Celtic fans react to the club’s post on Jota
Celtic have played two pre-season matches so far, including beating Cork City on Tuesday evening in Ireland.
Now, the players are in Portugal for games against Estrela da Amadora and Sporting Lisbon, with the club announcing that Jota is with the squad in Lisbon in a surprise visit.
It’s fair to say that when Celtic announced that on social media, it delighted the supporters, and many are wondering when he will actually return.
‘🫶 A welcome visitor in Lisbon,’ wrote Celtic’s official account. Jota, recovering from injury, dropped by to see the lads during training 💚’
@TheBhoysPage went straight to the point: ‘I miss him too much.’
@steffang92 had a message about Jota’s injury: ‘Hope it’s a speedy recovery.’
@Neillennoncsc had an interesting take about when Jota could return: ‘Back for start of February, another bit of mind games out until March 👀’
@Gazcam1969 wants Jota to hit the gym: ‘Hope he’s doing the weights for his upper body 😄😄’
@jg2394044 told Celtic how to deal with Jota’s injury: ‘Get the magic Maeda potion on him.’
@JW_1888 with a sarcastic response to Celtic’s window: ‘Just like a new signing 😍😍😍, so glad we’re spending our money properly and effectively on the signings we desperately need to compete in the Champions League.’
@HereCelts joked: ‘Looks fit to me.’
@CelticBhoy41 with a harsh take on Yang and Palma: ‘Even with the injury, he’s still better than Yang and Palma.’
@kyogosleftfoot with an interesting take: ‘Rumour he is closer than we all think to a return? Maybe October time??’
@bhoysviews also added: ‘Well, would you look at that!’
Who plays on the left flank amid Jota’s injury?
Whenever Jota returns, one thing is for sure: it’s a long-term injury, and Brendan Rodgers will have to do without his services.
It probably has changed Celtic’s transfer plans for the summer because who plays on that left flank?
Daizen Maeda went down the middle when Kyogo Furuhashi left, and despite his goal-crazy run, perhaps Rodgers needs to evaluate where he plays the Japan star because there is a massive void on the left flank.
- Daizen Maeda
- Yang
- Benjamin Nygren
- Transfer linked Michel-Ange Balikwisha
- Transfer linked Sondre Orjasaeter
- Transfer linked Isak Jansson
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