Celtic hit by ‘huge’ Jota blow as star set to miss Rangers showdown – pundit
Celtic star Jota will be a “huge miss” if he is unavailable for this month’s League Cup final and January’s meeting with Rangers, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Aberdeen striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 22-year-old has been “pivotal” for the Hoops this term.
As quoted by the Daily Record last Sunday, (5 December), manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed Jota will be out for “a few weeks” with a hamstring injury.
The in-form Portuguese star pulled up clutching his hamstring in the win against Hearts last week (2 December) and was substituted.
Jota is now likely to miss the League Cup final against Hibernian on 19 December. He could also be absent from the crucial Old Firm derby against Rangers on 2 January.
Whelan insisted the winger’s injury absence is a “massive blow” for the Hoops.
“It’s a massive blow, he’s the one who is flying high at Celtic at the moment,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He’s full of confidence, on loan and eager to make an impression – and the manager wants to keep him.
“Jota has been pivotal to their performances for the past couple of months – with goals, assists, creativity.
“To be missing him will be huge. Especially as you’re coming up to a big cup final. The tough fixtures over Christmas and the Old Firm game in January will also be in Postecoglou’s mind.”
“You always want to have your best squad available for such massive games.”
Jota has scored eight goals across 18 Celtic games this season after joining on a season-long loan during the summer.
The Hoops reportedly agreed an optional purchase fee of over £6million in the loan agreement with Benfica.
In other news, Celtic have been told to sign a player Rangers ‘keep being linked with’ after a rave review.