Celtic are set to be boosted by the returns of Jota, Alistair Johnston and Yang over the coming weeks, but Chris Sutton has urged caution over the Portuguese star's comeback.
Jota took another step towards his long-awaited return by featuring in a bounce game after 18 months on the sidelines. Sutton acknowledged the excitement among fans but questioned which version of Jota Celtic are getting.
Jota return debated
"Give me the Jota of his first spell and he walks straight into my top XI. He gets the captain's armband. I'd give him a new contract," Sutton wrote in his Record Sport column. "But the Jota who returned from Saudi Arabia and Rennes wasn't the same player. Some of that sparkle had gone - and that was before the devastating ACL injury."
Sutton said Jota needs time and patience to get back to his previous levels, adding that Martin O'Neill won't rush him.
Sutton's strongest XI
In goal, Sutton picked Viljami Sinisalo ahead of Sam Johnstone, saying Sinisalo should have done better with the goals against Rangers and LASK, but Johnstone was "really poor at Ibrox".
At right-back, he chose Alistair Johnston over Colby Donovan, praising Johnston's quality and leadership. In central defence, he selected Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales, with Scales preferred over Auston Trusty for his aerial dominance and physical fit.
At left-back, Sutton named Kieran Tierney, noting there is no other alternative right now and that the position is a "headscratcher".
Midfield and attack
In midfield, Sutton kept Callum McGregor as captain, asking who would replace him given there is no succession plan. He also picked Mika Baur and Benjamin Nygren, highlighting Nygren's 26 goals and 15 assists.
On the wings, he chose Yang and Haissem Hassan, with Camilo Duran leading the line ahead of record signing Kasper Hogh. Sutton said Duran has shown versatility and should play as a central striker.
