NafisaCeltic winger Jota will be out of action for six to nine months due to a cruciate ligament injury, with manager Brendan Rodgers noting it “shone a light” on the club’s need to bolster their attacking options in the summer transfer window.
The 26-year-old, who rejoined the Scottish champions from Rennes in January, sustained a knee injury during Saturday’s 5-0 victory against Dundee United.
Jota was substituted in the first half at Tannadice as Celtic clinched a fourth straight Scottish Premiership title, the Portuguese winger departing the stadium on crutches.
“Sadly, it’s not good news for him or for us really,” Rodgers told Sky Sports.
“It didn’t look as bad, but when he had the scan, it looks like he’ll probably be out for six to nine months.
“So he’s done his cruciate and a little bit of other damage in there. He’s quite upbeat and philosophical about it.”
Jota shone during his initial stint with Celtic, originally on loan from Benfica, but after being transferred to Al-Ittihad in 2023, he lost favor with the Saudi club and at Rennes.
He has featured in 16 matches, starting nine, since returning to Glasgow, netting five goals, but Rodgers indicated they had anticipated further progress following “a really strong pre-season” to enhance his fitness.
“Sadly, that has interrupted that side of it,” he said.
“He’s had a challenging couple of years really after his move away from here to Saudi, but I have to say, he is a very positive young guy and I’m pretty sure he’ll come back from this a stronger person and player.”
Celtic sold their then-leading scorer Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes as Jota moved in the opposite direction in January, and the latter’s injury heightens the urgency to reinforce the attacking unit.
“We will definitely have to into the market, of that there is no doubt, but that was always going to be the case anyway,” Rodgers added.
“You are always looking to improve your front line, but there is no doubt that this news really shines a light on to that area of the field for us.”
Celtic face city rivals Rangers on Sunday, aiming to avoid a third consecutive Old Firm league defeat, and will also miss right-back Alastair Johnston due to injury.
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