Is this to be the end of the second, much shorter Martin O’Neill-era at Celtic?
The interim manager has himself confirmed that Sunday’s clash with Hibernian at Easter Road is likely to be the final match of his return, ahead of Wilfried Nancy’s arrival in Glasgow, having done pretty well, winning five of six fixtures.
On Thursday, O’Neill guided the Hoops to their first European away win in four years, beating Feyenoord 3-1 at De Kuip in the Europa League.
Fair to say, Yang Hyun-jun was a surprise starter in Rotterdam, but he scored the all-important equaliser, firing into a tiny gap between goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther and the post, having been spectacularly set up by Reo Hatate.
Despite this contribution, should Yang be back on the bench in Edinburgh on Sunday, with O’Neill instead starting an attacker reminiscent of one forgotten star.
Latest on Jota's Celtic return
Given everything that has happened since, Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation, protests against the board, defeat in a Scottish Cup Final on penalties, Champions League elimination and so much more, the excitement that surrounded Jota’s return has been completely forgotten.
During his first stint at the club, the Portuguese winger scored 28 goals in 83 appearances, becoming an undisputed fans’ favourite, before being sold to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad for £25m, which remains the club’s joint-record outgoing transfer.
After enduring a miserable time in the Middle East, followed by a brief stint at Stade Rennais in Ligue 1, Jota returned home in January, marking his second Celtic debut with this goal against Motherwell at Fir Park.
He would also net against Dundee United, Aberdeen, Hearts and then St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-finals at Hampden on Easter Sunday so, despite clearly lacking some match sharpness, it was just like having the old Jota back, as if he’d never been away.
However, at Tannadice in April, on a day of celebration as the Celts mathematically secured the Premiership title, Jota ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, so has been on the sidelines since.
Then-manager Rodgers said at the time he expected the winger to be sidelined for six to nine months, and it’s been seven, or 217 days to be exact, so Celtic supporters should be optimistic of seeing their star attacker soon, possibly in time for the visit of Rangers on 3 January.
For now, which player who possesses a similar “x factor” to Jota should O’Neill start in Leith come Sunday lunchtime?
Celtic star Martin O'Neill must start against Hibs
While many of Celtic’s summer signings have underwhelmed or made little impact to date, looking at you Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Shin Yamada and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, the same cannot be said of Sebastian Tounekti.
After a drawn-out negotiation process with Hammarby, Celtic would not do things any other way, the Tunisian international arrived on deadline day for a reported fee of £5.2m, which could turn out to be an excellent piece of business.
The 23-year-old has only scored twice in hoops to date, netting against Partick Thistle at Firhill and Falkirk at home, but has looked generally excellent, with his talent clear to see.
Following his first appearance against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, then-manager Rodgers heralded his “brilliant debut”, adding “he’s fast, he’s dynamic, and can beat a player… he’s a real Celtic winger.”
Meantime, Anders Lindberg of Fotboll Sthlm stated “he has a little bit of the X Factor”, impressed by the attacker’s “showmanship”.
Well, these all sound like qualities one could use to describe Jota, so let’s assess how the duo compare to one another.
Minutes
571
567
Goals
4
1
Assists
2
Zero
Shots
14
11
Shots on target
9
3
Big chances missed
1
1
Chances created
12
16
Big chances created
3
Zero
Passes complete
198
243
Forward passes
46
55
Completed take-ons
10
15
Take-on success %
36%
35%
Touches per 90
61.7
67.7
Average rating
7.17
6.89
Note: All stats are Premiership only.
As the table documents, in a near-identical number of minutes, Tounekti’s Premiership statistics this season, when compared to those of Jota earlier in the year, are remarkably similar.
The Portuguese player has been more productive in the final third, scoring more goals, registering more assists and mustering more shots.
However, the Tunisian had created more chances, completed more passes and a greater number of take-ons, with the duo’s dribbling numbers uncannily alike.
Once Jota is back fit, it’ll be frightening for opponents to see these two lining up together.
In the meantime, Tounekti is clearly Celtic’s most dangerous available winger, having proved this far more consistently than Yang, so as O’Neill seeks to sign off with a victory over Hibs, it should be a no-brainer who he starts at Easter Road.
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