Martin O’Neill shares Jota injury update as Celtic star holds talks with surgeon
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill shared some team news ahead of their Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee today.
Celtic travel to Dundee as O’Neill chases a vital three points
The atmosphere at Celtic Park is not what the fans were hoping for at this stage of the season.
A 2-0 defeat to Dundee United before the international break – a result that signaled an era of optimism under O’Neill’s interim leadership – was a reminder of just how precarious the title picture remains.
Hearts are sitting comfortably at the top, and although the window has not yet closed for Celtic, the trip to Dens Park to face Dundee carries more weight than the usual three points.
Dundee is a club that works under its own pressure.
Steven Pressley’s side sit eighth in the Premiership with 32 points from 31 games, holding a five-point cushion over the relegation zone – enough for comfort but not enough for comfort.
The Dees go into the final stages of their regular season campaign looking to defend that title while Celtic come in need of reasserting their title following Tannadice’s setback.
Celtic’s recent record in this game makes for incredible reading – just one defeat in the last 49 meetings in all competitions, although that mistake came at Dens Park in October 2025.
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The Hoops have a big decision to make.
Whatever luxury history offers, O’Neill’s side cannot afford another slip.
Among those absent from the pre-match list, Jota’s name comes up again – and ahead of Sunday’s game, O’Neill has given an update on the Portuguese midfielder that is both detailed and reassuring in its conclusion.
Jota goes to London to consult a surgeon after the Celtic setback
The 27-year-old injured his ACL at Tannadice in April 2025 and has been out for the best part of the year.
It’s an adjustment that seems far from straightforward, and O’Neill made that clear when he talked about his situation.
“He has been out for a long time and during his rehabilitation, he had a few problems,” explained the interim manager.
“Just when he thinks he’s going to be fine, he gets a little bit of a setback. These types of injuries, you think they’re on point and sometimes they’re not and you’re stopped in your tracks when you think you’re going fine.”
Recently, those hurdles have prompted a consultation with experts.
“He had a consultation with a surgeon in London a few days ago,” O’Neill confirmed – a trip that underscores the complexities of a recovery that has often stuttered.
The realistic target now is the preseason, not the title run.
“I would hope that whoever is going to be the manager of the football team, Jota will be ready before the season,” said O’Neill.
“He has been out for a long time, but I have no problem with the way he is putting his job at risk.
“This kind of injury, in my day, was career-threatening because it was so rare. Now, there are a lot of amazing surgeons all over Britain, Ireland and Europe. So I don’t see this as a career-threatening injury. If Celtic fans are worried because of the length of time it’s taken, I can try and reassure them that he’s going to recover from this.”
It’s a message of real hope delivered after a season in which Celtic lacked their most electrifying attacking talent.
O’Neill also confirmed another setback for defender Alistair Johnston, who picked up a new problem against Canada – adding to the injury that has already sidelined him since October.
The focus now is on Dundee on Sunday and a result that keeps the pressure on Hearts.
Celtic will not be able to allow their rivals any breathing space, and behind the scenes, the Boys have been asked to make a ‘big statement’ by appointing the former Premier League player.
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The Old Firm both want him.
