Jota KO is a huge test for Paul & Co

IN tabloid terms, a player suffering a long-term injury is usually called a blow. With Celtic star Jota, it's more like an explosion.

- MICHAEL GANNON

This is the kind of bad news that fires shrapnel across every department of a club.

First of all there's the personal angle. For a guy who won the lottery with his move to Saudi Arabia, Jota hasn't had much luck since.

The life tax has hit the lad hard with a rough time in the Middle East and a frustrating spell in France that followed.

It seemed like everything was coming back together for the 26-year-old until, bang, his ACL goes at Tannadice and now he's looking at spending nine months on the sidelines.

It has caused a major crater in Brendan Rodgers' team.

Even a 70 per cent fit Jota was a massive contributor to the Hoops in recent months and the winger would have been fully up to speed in time for the start of next season.

Jota injury will force a big shift in strategy for summer transfers

The injury has given Rodgers a headache in the short-term and an issue needing tackled in the long.