Celtic were held for only the second time in their Scottish Premiership campaign on Wednesday night, but there was one clear positive from the draw with Dundee United. The Bhoys took the lead through the red-hot Camilo Durán but fell behind after conceding two goals in three minutes, with Zac Sapsford scoring an excellent header, and then Liam Scales diverted one past his own keeper. Scales went on to atone for his error in the 65th minute, turning home an equaliser.

This was always going to be a challenge for Celtic, with Dundee United coming into this game after three wins in their last four, and Martin O'Neill's men are feeling the heat of a very difficult schedule. After this weekend's clash with Falkirk, Celtic will have played seven games in just three weeks, and they have another two to play next week, ahead of the international break.

Celtic looked leggy against Hibs over the weekend, so it was no surprise to see them come up short on Wednesday night, with both sides creating chances in a rather open game. Kasper Hogh started and flopped again for the Bhoys, coming off at half-time, and while Haissem Hassan delivered plenty into the box, he just couldn't seem to find the right cross to open up the visitors.

It was a frustrating watch, at times, and not in the way the European games have been, where the Bhoys have lacked quality, but Celtic just couldn't find the right ball in the final third despite working it into those areas repeatedly, albeit at the cost of giving up too much space at the other end.

But there was one clear positive from the game, and that was the way Jota looked when he came off the bench to replace Hogh at half-time. We have seen some spark from Jota in his first weeks since returning from an 18-month knee injury, with the Portuguese star being eased back into action.

But Wednesday night was the first time we saw Jota looking electric. The winger provided the assist for the second goal and looked full of confidence. He regularly faced up his man and took him on, showing his typical trickery and delivering some dangerous ball.

He too was left frustrated by struggling to find the perfect cross aside from his assist, but he was relentless in his pursuit, and it's another clear sign of the competition O'Neill is bracing for on the left, between him, Yang Hyun-jun and Osmand, while it's hoped Sebastian Tounekti can step up.

Jota's stats vs Dundee United

• Minutes: 45
• Assists: 1
• Key passes: 3
• Pass success: 75%
• Unsuccessful touches: 1
• Crosses: 2

Jota provided the Besiktas blueprint

Jota provided three key passes and brought real quality that will leave Hoops fans counting down the days until the 27-year-old can be cleared to start games. Young Callum Osmand has done well out there, but that second half will have Celtic fans dreaming of a front line of Jota, Durán and Hassan. That is a front line that has the potential to wreck opposition defences, and Yang will add a real dangerous edge to that when he comes in.

O'Neill will be licking his lips at the prospect of that attack, and he will be eager to be able to start with it for a must-win Europa League clash with Besiktas a week on Thursday. Celtic are sorely lacking in quality elsewhere on the pitch, but that is a front line that should be able to compete at Europa League level, there is no doubt.