CELTIC CONFIDENTIAL: The former favourite who WON'T be coming back to Parkhead, and the faithful defender set to head out in search of first-team football
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Speculation over an emotional Celtic return for the club’s former winger Jota should be discounted. The Portuguese fans’ favourite swapped Glasgow for the riches of Saudi Arabia when he moved to the Middle East in a £25million deal in July 2023. After helping Celtic win five of the six domestic trophies he contested under Ange Postecoglou, the former Benfica starlet posted a gushing message to the club’s fans on his departure.
![[Jota won five of six available trophies contested during his two-year spell at the club]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/16/93833695-0-image-a-72_1736269010825.jpg)
‘You guys found a way of loving me more than my previous girlfriends,’ he said on Instagram. ‘And I guarantee you that we were crazy in love. ‘For what it matters, I think I’ve loved you more than them so, believe me, I love you for life.’. After ending an unfulfilling 18 months at Al-Ittihad, the 25-year-old moved to French club Rennes last summer, where he has made only nine appearances. His last game under hardline coach Jorge Sampaoli came on December 15 in a 2-0 win over Angers.
![[Talks continue over a potential return for former left-back and fans' favourite Kieran Tierney]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/17/93834405-0-image-a-84_1736269603054.jpg)
Jota's iconic pose after scoring an Old Firm goal against Rangers was immortalised on T-shirts. Jota won five of six available trophies contested during his two-year spell at the club. Talks continue over a potential return for former left-back and fans' favourite Kieran Tierney.
![[Stephen Welsh has completed a medical in Belgium and is set to make the move to Mechelen]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/16/93833707-0-image-a-73_1736269030206.jpg)
And, with Celtic in the market for a left winger, supporters have speculated over the chances of the two sides giving it another go. But, despite talks progressing with another former favourite in the shape of full-back Kieran Tierney, Mail Sport understands Celtic are focusing on other targets and that Jota feels he has done his time in Scottish football.
![[Young Parkhead centre-half Dane Murray has been recalled from his loan spell at Queen's Park]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/16/93833781-0-image-a-74_1736269043660.jpg)
