Celtic are finally Scottish Premiership champions and can celebrate their fantastic achievement for weeks to come, but their latest injury concern may have slightly dampened their spirits.
Celtic bask in the glory of being crowned Scottish Premiership champions
After weeks of closing in on a fourth successive league title, Celtic finally got the job done in style last weekend away to Dundee United, courtesy of a 5-0 victory at Tannadice. Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah’s doubles, coupled with an own goal from Ryan Strain, settled an emphatic scoreline before Brendan Rodgers and company were able to taste the celebratory champagne once again.
The Irishman is now the third most successful manager in Celtic history behind Willie Maley and Jock Stein. Come the summer, you would imagine he will be keen to build up ahead of steam for the Bhoys’ involvement in the final qualifying round before the Champions League league phase.
Surprisingly, Tayport Juniors goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu could join the Hoops if he impresses during a possible training stint at the club. Although he would likely be a developmental signing, there will be plenty of first-team-ready additions primed to enter the fold.
Stoke City winger Million Manhoef has emerged as a Celtic target and may be a popular candidate to shore up the wide areas, which are set to undergo surgery in light of Daizen Maeda’s sparkling form either on the flank or at centre-forward.
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Strength in depth will be needed to see off any threat from Rangers or elsewhere next term, while the Bhoys’ exploits in Europe are set to again come under the microscope once the summer has come and gone.
However, Rodgers may now have food for thought heading into 2025/26 following an injury setback surrounding one of his star assets, per reports.
Celtic star Jota set to be ruled out for several months
According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic winger Jota will miss the rest of the season and possibly the start of next campaign due to a knee injury that left him on crutches in their title-clinching victory over Dundee United.
The outlet state that an initial diagnosis is set to rule him out for ‘several months’ following a painful clash that left the Portuguese star writhing around in pain shortly after his role in the Bhoys’ opening goal at Tannadice.
Jota’s record since returning to Celtic in January – all competitions
Appearances
16
Goals
5
Assists
2
Republic of Ireland forward Idah will likely lead the line in his absence, with Maeda being switched to his familiar left-sided berth to accommodate Kuhn on the right flank.
Nevertheless, Jota’s absence will come as a blow to Rodgers, especially with Celtic’s Scottish Cup final clash against Aberdeen now only a matter of weeks away.
Labelled “fantastic” by teammate Idah, the former Benfica star is a cult hero among supporters and adds a different dimension due to his quick thinking and footwork, but the Bhoys will need to find a way to manage without him over the coming weeks.