The last time Jota was in action for Celtic, Brendan Rodgers was in the dugout.
But by the time Jota is back on the field of play, not only could he miss Martin O’Neill’s return, but a new permanent manager could be in situ at Celtic.
Back in April, months after Jota came back to Celtic, he suffered a cruciate ligament injury during the 5-0 win against Dundee United.
At the time, it was suggested that the versatile forward could be out of action for ‘up to nine months’, but it might not be that straightforward, according to Peter Grant.
Jota speaking to Celtic TV at Celtic’s training base in Lisbon, Portugal
Credit: Celtic FC/YouTubeWhen Jota could return from his ACL injury for Celtic
Those ACL injuries are one of the worst you can suffer as a footballer.
Speaking on Go Radio, Grant stated that he’s been told Jota could be out of action until March, at a ‘minimum.’
If that happens, then he would have been out of action for a whole year, and that’s when you feel for the player because, at the age of 26, Jota is at the peak of his powers.
But Grant wanted to make the comparison of Jota suffering an ACL injury to the thought in the United States of America, and how they always diagnose that anyone suffering such injuries should give themselves a year to come back.
“He will still be the turn of the year, easily,” said Grant. “I’ve been told about February and March, you are looking at. Minimum.
“I don’t care what football club you are at. ACLs are a nightmare. If you try to beat them.. In America, they try to tell you a year, because if you come back before then and you pick it up again, they sue you, so they will say a year for an ACL.
“I always think, anybody who tries to fight that six or seven months. I always find that, later on, you will find yourself with injuries again.
“So, I would be very, very careful with Jota.”