Former Celtic star Jota has reportedly been excluded from Al-Ittihad's Saudi Pro League squad, leading to a fallout behind the scenes at his new club.

The Portuguese winger joined the Tigers in June for £25million after two successful seasons in Glasgow but has struggled to make an impact in the Middle East.

He has been on the fringes, and with Saudi Pro League rules only allowing for eight foreign players, it appears the arrival of Real Betis defender Luiz Felipe has seen the 24-year-old miss out on the squad.

Jota will now only be available for AFC Champions League fixtures and Club World Cup matches.

READ MORE: The Celtic numbers: How home side put Dundee to the sword

This had led to a "dispute" between manager Nuno Espirito Santo and club management, as the ex-Wolves boss wanted to keep the forward in the squad.

All this is according to Ittihad insider Salem Al-Ahmadi, who told Saudi outlet Bara 18: "The delay in issuing the decision regarding the ninth foreigner excluded from Ittihad was because there is a dispute between the administration and the coach.

"Therefore there was hesitation. In my opinion, there is a difference of opinion between Nuno and the Union administration regarding dispensing with Jota.

"I see that Santo did not want to dispense with Jota. In return, the federation’s management pressed for the player’s exclusion from the list of foreigners.

"Al-Ittihad management over the past days has unanimously agreed that Jota is the player who left the list."