Chris Sutton warns Celtic fans over Jota expectations after 18-month injury absence
Jota took another significant step in his recovery on Friday when he played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors bounce match against Falkirk.
The Portuguese star has now been sidelined for more than 500 days following his ACL injury at Tannadice and is expected to move closer to competitive action after the international break.
However, Sutton believes there should be caution around expectations. Referring to Jota’s performances following his return to Celtic under Brendan Rodgers last year, the former Hoops striker reckons some of the winger’s previous spark had already disappeared before his serious injury.
Sutton wrote in the Daily Record: “Jota is back. Or at least he’s getting there. I’ve heard plenty of excited Celtic fans saying it this week. The Portuguese star took another step towards his long-awaited return yesterday by featuring in a bounce game after 18 months on the sidelines.
“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. I’m sure Martin O’Neill won’t rush him.”
As a result, Sutton did not immediately include Jota in what he believes should be O’Neill’s strongest Celtic XI following the international break.
Instead, he highlighted Hyunjun Yang’s development as one reason why Jota could face competition for a starting place.
He went on to say of Yang: “The South Korean’s a 100-per-center, isn’t he? Everything is 100 miles an hour, he works his socks off and he’s brilliant defensively. He’s direct and a real handful. I think he lacks a bit of quality at times, but that’s because he doesn’t slow down. He’s turning into a physical monster. There’s still more to come.”
Sutton is also an admirer of Hassan and believes the Egyptian offers Celtic another dangerous option out wide.
On Hassan, he continued: “The lightning-quick Egyptian winger sometimes lacks quality with his final ball and needs to take a leaf out of Yang’s book and track back. But in an attacking sense, I really like his directness and his ability to go past his marker. Celtic need to make sure they load the box when he’s one vs one. He’s also got good variation in driving both ways.”
