Celtic recently learned of Jota’s latest unfortunate injury setback, and a sports therapy lecturer has told supporters what to expect upon his eventual return.
The winger hasn’t featured since April 2025, a 5-0 win at Dundee Utd, which sealed the Premiership title for the Hoops.
He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in that match, which has kept him sidelined for the past 13 months.
Daniel Biggs, first-team physiotherapist for Kelty Hearts and a sports therapy lecturer at UHI Perth, outlined the complications Jota may have faced as his road to recovery has posed several obstacles.
In an interview with The Celtic Way, Biggs said:
“Typically, it’s nine to 11 months – that’s the average time for an ACL grade three full rupture. So if it’s 18 months, then it’s suggesting that the rehab hasn’t gone as smoothly as what was initially hoped.
“Possible reasons for this could include skin graft taking a little bit longer to heal properly, there might be some infections, some inflammation issues in there, and there could be some setbacks within the rehab programme itself as well.”
Biggs delved into the research surrounding ACL injuries, and what that could mean for Jota’s career:
“I think most of the time, if it’s an ACL injury, a lot of players do come back.”
“What we have found out in research is that there’s a decent percentage, around 66 per cent of players with an ACL injury, do drop down the leagues within three years.
“So, whether they return – maybe – but we do know that in the long term, they probably won’t reach the ability that they were before the ACL injury.
“The loss of confidence, and you know what, I think there will be some doubt in there as well. Particularly if there are setbacks within the rehab, then there might be doubt coming through.
“Doubt develops, and not just when a return will happen, but whether the player will ever get back to the previous level.”
It is an unfortunate truth around one of the most common, and most complicated, injuries that professional footballers can sustain.
When Jota does return, it will not just be a physical battle he has endured.
The mental toll of being absent for so long means he may face an uphill task of rediscovering his confidence.
It is a key point for a player who is known for his fearlessness and ability to take opponents on with such ease.
Jota’s flair has been missed, and Celtic have had issues on the wing this season.
There is still hope that he can become the player he once was, and he will be determined to show he’s still up to the task.
But given the rebuild the club face this summer, a winger will now be high up the list of priorities.
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