CeltsAreHere understands Hoops winger Jota will not be ready in time for Celtic’s pre-season as his long recovery from an ACL injury continues to drag on.
The Portuguese winger has been out for over a year after suffering the injury at the back end of the 2024/25 campaign, and while there had been hope among supporters that he could have been back in the picture much earlier, that has not materialised.
We understand the player has suffered several setbacks during his rehabilitation and is not expected to be available for the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
As things stand, the current estimate for a possible return is around October or November, although that will naturally depend on how the next stage of his recovery progresses.
It is a significant blow for Celtic.
Jota remains one of the most talented wide players at the club, and his return would have felt like a major boost heading into a new campaign. Instead, Celtic now have to plan for the opening months of the season without him.
Supporters had initially hoped the winger could be back by February this year, but that timeline came and went without the player returning to first-team action. The latest understanding makes clear that Celtic cannot bank on him being involved during pre-season or the early weeks of competitive football.
Celtic have just come through a season that ended with a league and Scottish Cup double, but there are still huge questions hanging over the club. The managerial situation has to be settled properly, while the squad could see significant turnover before the window closes.
Jota’s status now becomes another key factor in recruitment planning.
Celtic cannot afford to treat him as an immediate option when looking at the wide areas. Even if the club remain confident he can return later in the year, there is a clear gap to be covered between July and the autumn.
That could influence how aggressive Celtic are in the transfer market, particularly if other attacking players move on or if the new manager wants different profiles in the final third.
ACL recoveries are rarely straightforward, and in Jota’s case the process has clearly been more complicated than anyone would have wanted. The priority for the player will be getting back properly rather than rushing another comeback date.
The hoops are heading into a crucial summer with one of their biggest attacking talents still some way off a return, and the club must build the squad accordingly.
I doibt he will every be back its one if the worst injuries Tannidice a shit hole
These type of injuries do take time for player to recover but sadly many players never regain the same standard of football they had before the injury”and jota might not fully recover from this injury which would be very sad as he such a very good player time will tell but it’s not looking good.
The best thing to do is plan thinking Jota will never play again and anything else is a bonus.