Jota admitted it “felt amazing” to play at Celtic Park again after making his home return in Celtic’s 7-1 win over Hearts.

The Portuguese winger came on at half-time on Sunday, replacing Callum Osmand after the youngster had scored twice on his first start.

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It was his first appearance at Celtic Park since 12 April 2025, when he played 30 minutes in a 5-1 win over Kilmarnock.

After months of waiting, injury work and managed minutes, the winger finally got his moment back in front of the home support.

Speaking to the official Celtic FC App after the Hearts match, Jota said: “It felt amazing.

“I was expecting this moment for a long time now, and I think it was a great day as well for everyone.

“We delivered and I was really happy with it as well.”

It was an ideal setting for his return.

Celtic had already blown Hearts away before the break, with Kieran Tierney, Benjamin Nygren, Osmand and a Jamie McCart own goal doing the damage.

Camilo Duran added another after half-time before Nygren scored again late on to complete the rout.

Jota was able to come into a game Celtic had under control, and there were still flashes of the player supporters have been waiting to see again.

He added: “I think every game there’s a new story, and luckily today was one where we were already comfortable and then we just kept on doing our stuff.”

Jota looked sharp in spells, taking players on and bringing a bit of swagger back to the left side.

He said: “It’s good to hear.

“It’s good that people can see that as well.

“I feel very good as well.

“I feel fresh.

“Obviously, there’s a process to it, but I’m just thrilled to be playing minutes after minutes and just get all of the sensations back again.”

The reception from the Celtic support clearly meant plenty to him.

Jota was warmly applauded when he went to warm up, and the noise only grew when he came on.

He said: “Yeah, since day one I think a story was built, and I’m not done here.

“I still want to achieve a lot of stuff with them and I just can’t wait to get back to the level and just deliver every game.”

Jota did not need to score for his return to feel like a big moment. Celtic Park had waited to see him again, and on a day when Hearts were battered, the winger got the welcome back he had been waiting for.