Maloney backs Jota's comeback as Celtic plot his return to action

On the Lennoxtown training pitch, Celtic winger Joao Pedro Neves Filipe – known as Jota – joined assistant manager Shaun Maloney, marking the Portuguese’s first steps back after 16 months out of action. The sighting confirms the club’s intention to reintegrate the 27‑year‑old into first‑team plans.

By JOHN MCGARRY, SCOTTISH CHIEF SPORTS FEATURE WRITER. Published: 22:30 BST, 7 August 2026 | Updated: 22:51 BST, 7 August 2026.

When Joao Pedro Neves Filipe – aka Jota – left Tannadice on crutches on April 26, 2025, his injury was a mere footnote on another title party. The grim prognosis of a cruciate ligament injury deepened concern, and the most pessimistic outlook then put a return date around the new year.

Weeks turned to months, complications and setbacks arrived, and an entire season passed without the player being seen. Rumours of a career‑ending scenario swirled, suggesting that at just 27 years old Jota could be finished.

Celtic’s media team posted a picture of the player getting back to business yesterday, confirming his presence on the training ground. After missing 16 months of football, he still requires possibly another eight weeks of training before he could be considered ready for first‑team action.

“Yeah, definitely,” Shaun Maloney said. “It might take a bit of time and hard work. He’s definitely putting in the hours. He looks really strong. Yeah, he’s got every chance. The last couple of weeks have been really positive.”

Maloney recalled Cameron Carter‑Vickers’ long injury lay‑off, noting, “He was out for eight or nine months, but he had the full pre‑season. So, we’ll have to try and do something similar with Jota to give him the best chance.” He praised the medical side, adding, “Obviously, Brendan Rodgers and his staff picked up the start of that. The medical team are really important… they’re probably more important than us.”

He highlighted Zoom calls with Jota in Portugal, mentioning Mark Fotheringham’s positivity and Martin O’Neill’s constant communication. The assistant stressed that constant dialogue with the medical team has probably helped the recovery.

Reflecting on expectations, Maloney said, “From our side, you have to just temper it slightly. It’s one thing coming back to training this week with no contact. Then you have to become free in the next few weeks and build up that tolerance to it.” He suggested a possible return window around Halloween or November, hoping for an earlier comeback.

Jota’s move to Saudi Pro League side Al‑Ittihad brought £25 million to Celtic but markedly reduced the squad’s quality. The club is now pursuing Real Oviedo winger Haissem Hassan for the right flank, while Jota’s likely availability in October delays any search for a left‑sided wide man.

Maloney explained the left‑side options: “When Jota comes back, it’s probably similar to the nine position. You then have Jota, Seb Tounekti and Hyung‑jun Yang… On the right side, we need a profile like Nicolas Kuhn’s to attack differently.”