Celtic fans have waited a long time to see Jota running at defenders at Paradise again. On Sunday, they finally got their wish.

Jota has been out of action for 18 months ever since damaging his cruciate ligament in Celtic’s win at Dundee United back in March 2023.

The Portuguese winger played the second half of Celtic’s rout of Hearts, and the club has since posted a cracking message about his return.

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Celtic’s brilliant Jota message after Hearts thrashing

Jota came on for Callum Osmand at the break, with the youngster having already scored twice in a first half that saw Celtic race into a 5-1 lead.

His 533-day injury nightmare had ended at Motherwell the week before. Against Hearts, he was finally back on the Celtic Park pitch.

The club had a few words for their returning winger on Monday, sharing a superb message and video on X.

Few Celtic supporters would argue with that. Jota’s previous comments about his recovery showed just how tough life had become for him during those months without football.

He’s playing again now, and the hope is that Celtic fans can spend the coming months talking about his football rather than his fitness.

Jota gives Celtic fans a glimpse of what they’ve missed

Jota wasn’t hanging about when he got on the ball against Hearts. He wanted to take players on, and there were a few reminders of the winger Celtic fans know so well.

The club’s match report even mentioned his tricks getting the crowd out of their seats. Of course, there’s a difference between playing 45 minutes against a Hearts team already five goals down and being ready to start matches every week.

Nobody knows that better than Jota, given how hard he’s had to work just to get back on the pitch. But Sunday was another step in the right direction for the Portuguese star.

Celtic hit seven against Hearts, and their number seven was back entertaining the Paradise crowd. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon.