Martin O’Neill delivers Jota fitness update after impressive Celtic cameo

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has warned that Jota remains some way off returning to the starting XI despite his impressive cameo against Dundee United.

The Portuguese winger made his fourth substitute appearance since returning from a lengthy injury layoff earlier this month, providing the assist for Liam Scales’ equaliser in Wednesday night’s draw at Parkhead.

Jota and fellow substitute Haissem Hassan injected much-needed energy into Celtic’s attack after the interval, but their contributions ultimately weren’t enough to secure all three points.

Despite the 27-year-old’s encouraging display, O’Neill insists patience is required as he continues working towards full match fitness.

Asked whether Jota was close to starting, the Celtic boss said: “Well, I think that’s a little off at the moment. Yeah, a little off. When he was here the first time, obviously, I wasn’t here.

“I hear very good things about him. He was a really fine player. And yeah, so if he could get back to that type of form, which is going to take a little bit of time, having been so long out of the game.”

O’Neill also explained his decision to introduce Jota and Hassan at half-time, believing Celtic needed greater attacking threat in wide areas.

He continued: “I thought we needed it. Young Callum Osmand, his natural position is a striker or playing alongside somebody that’s got a bit of strength. I’ve been really pleased with him. But we made the changes.

“Kasper, again, I thought worked really hard in the match for us. He set up the goal for us as well. But we just wanted a change, and we thought, ‘We’re going to go wide with the two players who can take people on.’

“Yeah, sometimes you’re gambling as well. So, as I said to you about United on the break… and then one occasion, we played a short corner, lost it, and Mika Baur makes a fantastic effort to get back and save the night for us. But yeah, we’re still pleased with the team.”