Chris Sutton calls for time and patience regarding Jota’s Celtic return

When Jota was seen on crutches in the aftermath of Celtic’s title clinching win over Dundee United at Tannadice back in April 2025 it was obvious that he had suffered a serious injury, but few would have expected him to be out for as long as 18 months…

The Portuguese winger has faced a long battle on the road to full recovery, but his hard work now looks to have paid off as he’s set for a first team comeback in the coming weeks.

The news is undoubtedly a massive boost for the player, Martin O’Neill and the Celtic supporters, but some have urged a note of caution in regard to expectations placed upon the 27 year old who has spent so long on the treatment table.

One of those urging caution was former Celtic striker Chris Sutton, who used his weekly column in Daily Record to call for time and patience to be given to the superstar from Portugal, and asked what version of Jota we will see on his comeback. The Jota in his first Celtic spell or the Jota who arrived back after his torrid time in Saudi Arabia and France?

Sutton wrote: “It’s music to the ears of supporters desperate to see their favourite back in the Hoops. I get that. But I’m urging caution. For me, the big question isn’t whether Jota can still produce magic. It’s which Jota are Celtic actually getting? Give me the Jota of his first spell and he walks straight into my top XI. He gets the captain’s armband. I’d give him a new contract.”

“But the Jota who returned from Saudi Arabia and Rennes wasn’t the same player. Some of that sparkle had gone – and that was before the devastating ACL injury. He’ll feel like a new signing. But this isn’t prime Jota. He needs time – and patience – to show he can get back to those levels.”

Just an Ordinary Bhoy