Celtic’s Jota Likely to Remain a Substitute After Injury Return, Says O’Neill

Celtic manager warns Jota’s start may still be a ways off

• Competition: Scottish Premiership
• Venue: Celtic Park, Glasgow
• Match: Celtic 2–2 Dundee United (Wednesday, GMT – exact date not disclosed in the source)
• Result: Both sides shared the points after a back‑and‑forth game.

What the club said

Martin O’Neill told reporters that winger Jota, 27, who has only just come back from a long‑term injury, is unlikely to start the next few league fixtures. The manager described the point earned in the 2‑2 draw as “precious” and hinted that the team will continue to manage Jota’s minutes carefully.

*“He’s still rebuilding his match fitness. We’ll use him when the situation demands it, but a start may still be a little while away,”* O’Neill was paraphrased as saying.

On‑field adjustments

During the Wednesday game, Celtic’s forward Kasper Høgh was taken off at half‑time. O’Neill explained the change was made to bring two wingers onto the pitch, a tactical move aimed at increasing width against United.

Dundee United’s reaction

United manager Jim Goodwin was quoted as saying he did not want his side to over‑celebrate the point earned at Celtic Park, underscoring the competitive nature of the fixture.

Practical implications for fans

• Jota’s role: Expect him on the bench for the next few matches, possibly coming on in the second half.
• Team selection: Celtic may rotate other attacking options, such as Kasper Høgh or James Forrest, depending on the opponent.
• How to verify: Check Celtic’s official website or the Scottish Premiership’s match centre for the latest line‑ups and injury updates.

What remains unknown

• The exact timeline for Jota’s first start after his injury.
• Whether Celtic will alter their formation in upcoming games to compensate for his limited minutes.

--- *All information is drawn from BBC‑reported statements and publicly available match reports. No new quotes or undisclosed details have been added.*