The end appears to be in sight regarding Jota's injury hell, the beloved Celtic winger potentially in line to make his return to action next month, having been sidelined since May 2025.

The Portuguese has almost become something of a forgotten man in Glasgow, following that lengthy period on the sidelines, with it proving an unhappy homecoming for the 27-year-old to date.

And yet, who can forget the impact of his first spell at the club under Ange Postecoglou's watch, the fleet-footed forward causing chaos on the flanks in that golden period in Glasgow.

The Hoops, now led by Martin O'Neill, will be hoping to see a similar impact from new man Haissem Hassan as the season progresses, although the Egyptian isn't the only one to be getting excited about.

Analysing Hassan's start to life at Celtic in numbers

Camilo Duran has caught fire, while Kasper Hogh, the hat-trick hero at Kilmarnock, has impressed so far, yet Celtic are still waiting to see that real 'wow' moment from £6m signing, Hassan.

The 24-year-old notably came to prominence following his stunning display against Argentina at the World Cup, with that outing raising expectation levels back in Glasgow.

The former Real Oviedo man is still waiting to register a first goal involvement in Celtic colours, although he has now started each of the last three Premiership games, looking particularly impressive against St Mirren at the weekend.

Operating off the right flank, with Duran remaining in the centre in the absence of Hogh, Hassan was an outlet all night, showcasing his innate dribbling prowess in one-versus-one situations.

In his 72-minute outing, he attempted five dribbles, successfully completing three of those, while registering two key passes and racking up 13 progressive carries in total.

As for his Premiership record so far as a whole, he's created three 'big chances', averaged 1.3 key passes per game and a standout 2.3 successful dribbles per game, ranking third in the division in that latter metric.

Hopefully such an impact will translate into a greater end product, although Hassan did only record three assists and zero goals in LaLiga last term, with much of his play centred on progression rather than providing a finishing touch.

Indeed, the Scottish champions will have to look elsewhere in the squad for that type of player.

Why Celtic star can explode like Jota this season

Looking back to Jota's start to life at Celtic, he quickly emerged as a central figure under Postecoglou, so deadly be it from the left or right flank.

In all, in 2021/22, he reached double figures for both goals and assists in the Premiership, while remarkably creating 17 'big chances', the most of any player in the division that year.

The Hoops undoubtedly struck gold by plucking the young winger on loan from Benfica, with it having been a no-brainer to sign him up permanently at the end of that breakthrough debut campaign.

Perhaps, even if the chances of a permanent stay appear slim, it will be a similar story for young Shim Mheuka, the 18-year-old already looking like Celtic's next loan sensation in the making.

Like Jota five years ago, he arrived as a relative unknown late in the window, seeking regular game time at first-team level having made only a handful of senior appearances back at Stamford Bridge.

It is early days, undoubtedly, but the dynamic striker is already catching attention following his first two outings in green and white, looking the perfect player to rival Hogh through the middle even at such a young age.

It's fair to say he's even taken the spotlight away from Hassan, raising eyebrows with a stellar cameo against Aberdeen on debut, rifling one effort on target late on in that 3-0 win.

Against St Mirren last time out, the teenager looked to have gone one better after rounding the 'keeper to slot home in stoppage time, only to be cruelly denied by the offside flag.

Even so, the youngster's impressive movement and natural finishing ability was clear to see in that moment, looking set to pick up where he left off back at youth level.

In 49 games for Chelsea's U21 side, he's scored 25 goals, while also plundering 16 in just 25 outings for England's U19s, looking far too good for that level already.

In Jota's case, he had enjoyed more first-team experience with Benfica and Real Valladolid, before joining Celtic, yet much of his own best work had come in the youth ranks or for Benfica 'B' prior to that, having still been something of a gamble when he rocked up in Glasgow.

The gamble, it's fair to say, well and truly paid off in that case, with the same hopefully set to be true of Mheuka, if he can maintain this early momentum.

A recent contract extension in west London until 2033 may put a pin in hopes of a long-term stay at Celtic Park, but the Englishman already looks like the type of loan signing that supporters will fall in love with.

Jota knows all about that.