Chris Sutton criticises Lennon's Celtic selection for Cluj clash

By John McGinley

December 12, 2019

Former Hoops striker Chris Sutton isn’t convinced with Neil Lennon’s decision to start Christopher Jullien for tonight’s Celtic match away to Cluj in the Europa League, taking to Twitter this evening.

The Frenchman has already picked up two yellows cards during the group stage of this season’s competition (Transfermarkt).

UEFA disciplinary regulations (page 45) state that bookings accrued in the group stage are carried into the knockout rounds – although they do expire after the quarter-finals.

That means if Jullien is yellow-carded during tonight’s, essentially meaningless, match it would result in a ban for the first leg of our Round of 32 clash.

Kristoffer Ajer meanwhile is not in the same predicament but has only made the bench.

It’ll be interesting to hear the manager’s justification for the selection if he is asked later on.

I’ll certainly have my fingers crossed that Jullien doesn’t get caught out, as I laid out earlier this week, I didn’t even want him on the plane despite his Hampden heroics on Sunday!

Hopefully there are no issues and Jullien goes on to have a storming game as the leader of that defensive line. If he plays well and keeps his discipline then there’ll be no moaning.

However, Sutton is right to raise it as a pre-match talking point.

Fan reaction seems positive to Lennon’s team in general, so it’s set to be an exciting evening.

Can this experimental eleven pick up a fantastic victory?