Celtic winger Jota returns after 18 months out with knee injury

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 19 Oct, 18:57 · Archive

Celtic winger Jota has returned to action after an 18-month lay-off following a serious knee injury. The Portuguese player sustained the injury in April 2025 when Celtic beat Dundee United at Tannadice to clinch the league title. He came on as a half-time substitute in Sunday's 7-1 victory over Hearts as part of his comeback.

Jota said the injury was severe and he initially did not fully realise how long it would keep him sidelined. He admitted there were times when it felt like he had become a forgotten man at Celtic, with murmurs of a comeback followed by further setbacks. However, he never doubted he would eventually return to action.

Reflecting on the experience, Jota said he had 'met some demons' and had talks with them during his recovery. He described finding extra gratitude and strength through the process, and said the experience had given him a clearer sense of what he wanted and who he was as a player.

How it is being reported

• Celtic winger Jota determined to be better than ever after making long-awaited comebackCeltic winger Jota is confident he can recapture his best form after finally making his long-awaited comeback from a serious knee injury.Daily Mail Sport · 19 Oct, 20:01
• Celtic winger Jota lifts the lid on 18 months of injury anguish... 'I've met some demons and had talks with them'When Celtic beat Dundee United 5-0 back in April 2025, the overriding emotion at Tannadice was one of euphoria and celebration.Daily Mail Sport · 19 Oct, 18:44
• Celtic winger Jota back stronger after wrestling 'demons' during injury lay-offCeltic winger Jota says he has found extra gratitude and strength after wrestling with his "demons" during an 18-month lay-off.Sky Sports · 19 Oct, 16:12

In this story: Jota · Celtic · Hearts · Dundee United · Motherwell

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem