Forward confident he can return to peak level with champions
Celtic forward Jota is confident he can return to his peak level after being out injured for 18 months.
Jota ruptured his ACL in April 2025 against Dundee United and make his return to first-team action earlier this month against Motherwell. He was given another substitute appearance in Sunday’s 7-1 win over Hearts as Celtic strengthened their grip at the top of the table.
Jota became a fans’ favourite during his first spell at Celtic, helping them win a treble under Ange Postecoglou, and the 27-year-old believes he has so much more to offer after battling back from serious injury.
“Yeah, definitely,” Jota said when asked if he is confident of getting back to his best. “Otherwise, like if I didn't have that aim on me, I wouldn't be helpful for Celtic if I was happy with the things I did before.
“So yeah, I'm very positive that good things will come. I'm accepting the present and how things are going and I'm trusting the process. I'm not thinking too much forward. I just want to do the day-to-day thing and I think that's the way to go.
“The happiest thing in life for me is to play football. I couldn't in the last year. So right now, every time I step on a training pitch or a football pitch, for me it's everything. That's why I'm enjoying so much and valuing this so much.
“There's no lost time because in the end, I grew a lot. It had to be what it had to be and I didn't lose. I actually gained because in here, I'm way stronger nowadays. So it will help me definitely.”
Jota had to watch from afar as current manager Martin O’Neill guided Celtic to a domestic double last season, but he was able to lean on support from the 74-year-old.
“We've had a couple of talks,” continued Jota. “He wasn't in a position where he could do much because obviously I was away and I wasn't participating with the team.
“So I think he was just expecting and giving me the time to be healthy and I value that because maybe in another place, I wouldn't have that possibility. And here they gave me the possibility to return fit, healthy and clear-minded.”
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