Celtic manager Neil Lennon has expanded on the news of a long-term Chris Jullien injury, after his ‘six to nine months’ comment yesterday.
Lennon didn’t go into detail on the Jullien issue with broadcast media in his press conference yesterday, almost casually mentioning the length of time he will be absent for.
It was a bit of a shock to Celtic supporters, given the previous update was he’d probably be missing for three to four months from December.
The manager has now given a bit more context to the news in his interview with print journalists.
Asked if Jullien’s season was over, Lennon told The Scottish Daily Mail (20/02 print edition, page 117): “Yes it is. It could be six to nine months. He’s had surgery and he’s going back to France to do some rehabilitation, probably till May, and obviously we’ll assess him when he comes back.”
Lennon would go on to say the six to nine months timeframe runs from when the defender underwent surgery four weeks ago and not the injury itself.
The manager also explained that Jullien has been left devastated by it all, as well as why he will be in France instead of at Lennoxtown over the next few months.
Lennon said: “‘He never really got the season going, he was out with a back injury as well. So it was very stop-start for him. This has been a horrendous blow for him and us as well.
“Then he had Covid-19 when he was laid up by that, but he had already sustained the injury by then.
“So it has been really difficult for Jullien. Rather than be here and a restrictive sort of lifestyle, he can do his work in the rehab centre and maybe spend some time with his family as well.”
Chris Jullien set to miss chunk of next season too
If Jullien is out of action for nine months from late January, then he could end up missing a large chunk of next season too. It’s dire news and perhaps underplayed a bit given all the other drama ongoing at the club right now.
The French defender was a massive player for us in the nine-in-a-row campaign. He’s been a huge miss this term and to think it could be until October or November until he’s back up to speed is a scary thought.
That’s especially true when you consider Kristoffer Ajer’s uncertain future. What state will our defensive line be in for summer European qualifiers?
In other news, John Hughes has offered a different take on the criticised Scott Brown.
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