Hugh Keevins has a grim Jota warning for Celtic fans

With Celtic still looking good after the weekend’s impressive win and performance over Dundee United, the Celtic fans will be hoping that the three injuries picked up against Hearts will be fit and ready for a hectic festive schedule.

Anthony Ralston, Stephen Welsh and Jota, all pulled up with slight injuries and whilst the two defenders looks set to return to first team action shortly, the Hoops fans will have been hoping that Jota would be, at least, fit and ready for the Premier Sports Cup Final in two weeks time.

Think again says Hugh Keevins.

Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, the journalist and pundit delivered a prediction that may just take the wind the wind out of the Celtic fans sails when it comes to Jota making the final,  “I don’t think he has got any chance whatsoever?

“Jota is a talismanic for the Celtic supporters. Likewise, Kyogo.

“But to lose him and try to get over the disappointment of that, and then to turn in the performance of the season, against all odds, because you have lost Jota and Welsh and Ralston. 

“Carter Vickers is coming back into the team.  Starfelt is just back after injury and played against Hearts and played very well.

“They were just terrific from back to front.

“Had Kyogo,  Abada and David Turnbull had taken their chances, Celtic should have won by seven or eight, away from home, they were that dominant.

“If they can repeat that type of performance against Motherwell on Sunday, and especially against Hibs in the Cup Final they’ll be fine.”

Celtic, obviously, shouldn’t be reliant on one player but after Sunday’s performance minus those three injured absentee’s, the fans should be more hopeful than not at securing the first piece of silverware of the season.

Clearly having Jota in the team is preferable to not, but at least Ange Postecoglou has proven that we are not too over reliant on the Portuguese winger.