Celtic have dealt with their fair share of injury problems this season. And things do not seem to be getting any better for them on that front. Heading into the business end of the campaign, the Hoops have picked up some fresh injuries and will be hoping that they are nothing serious.

Unfortunately, there are quite a few Celtic players currently dealing with serious long-term injuries as well.

One of them is Jota. The Portuguese winger had left Celtic in a record £25 million move to join Al-Ittihad. After failing there, and with Rennes, he made a return to Parkhead in early 2025.

Jota quickly settled back into life at Parkhead and was starting to establish himself as a starter once again. But then, he suffered an injury.

Initially, it was not thought to be that serious. But soon, he was ruled out for the rest of the 24/25 campaign. Now, he has not featured in the 25/26 campaign either and is not going to.

Naturally, fans have been left worried. Some rumours have even cropped up suggesting that Jota's injury could be a career-threatening one.

Martin O'Neill has responded to those rumours, rubbishing them. According to The Celtic Way, the manager said:

"He's [Jota] been out for a long time. In his rehab, he's had a couple of setbacks.

"I had a conversation with him about where he is with all of this. He had a consultation with a surgeon down in London a few days ago. He's come back.

"Just when he thinks he's going great, he gets a bit of a setback; it's just the length of time that you're out.

"These types of injuries, you think it's straightforward, sometimes they're not and you're stopped in your tracks when you think you're going well.

"I would be hoping that whoever is going to be in charge of the football club, that Jota would be ready for pre-season. That's what I would be hoping for. It has been a fairly lengthy time.

"I don't see this as being a career-threatening injury. If Celtic fans are worried because of the length of time he's taken, I'd try and assure them that he will recover from this."

Celtic fans will be relieved to know that Jota's injury is not a risk to his long-term career. That being said, it has to be a career-altering one, for sure.

Jota has been out injured for a season and a half. It is hard to imagine that he will be the same player when he returns to the pitch eventually. One can only wonder what kind of long-term effect it will have on his game.

O'Neill has also confirmed that Jota has suffered a few setbacks while on the path to recovery. Perhaps initial plans had been for him to return at some point this season. Who knows?

Celtic's options on the wings have been significantly weakened in the absence of Jota, there is no doubt about that. Michel-Ange Balikwisha has not been able to make any sort of impact and his Parkhead career already looks as good as over. Joel Mvuka has not even featured in a league game since arriving on loan from Lorient in the winter.

Yang Hyun-jun is the only in-form winger that Celtic have right now. Sebastian Tounekti has done a decent enough job but has not been anything special. So, expect Celtic to strengthen on the flanks in the summer.

As for Jota, we can only hope that he fully recovers and is back on the pitch as soon as possible. O'Neill's comments have raised hopes that he could be back in time for pre-season but he should be given as much time as he needs.

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