Christopher Jullien gives honest interview about his Celtic situation; considering future

By Lewis Laird

May 13, 2022

It has been a difficult 18 months for Celtic defender Christopher Jullien.

The 29-year old enjoyed a Treble in his first season with the club after joining from French side Toulouse for a fee in the region of £7 million.

However, the Frenchman has suffered from significant injury issues, including a long-term knee problem sustained in December 2020.

Jullien made his long-awaited return earlier this year, coming off the bench in the final 16 minutes of the fifth round Scottish Cup tie against Raith Rovers.

Despite featuring on the bench in several of Ange Postecoglou’s squads, the fixture against the Scottish Championship side has been Jullien’s only first-team appearance this campaign.

Many fans have questioned where the defender’s future now lies after the roaring success of Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers in the backline.

Speaking in a recent interview with Goal, Jullien revealed he has been fit since January, but opportunities have not come his way with the form of other players in the side.

The Frenchman also appeared to admit that he would consider his future should the game time not come after such a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

When asked about his situation this season, he told Goal: “Since mid-January, I’ve felt 100%, after this it is the choice of the coach.

“It’s his decision and he has success: we have been champions since Wednesday, and in December, we won the League Cup.

“For my part, I told the coach in January that I was ready to play. Now it’s his choice, and sometimes he doesn’t name me on the bench because he prefers to take a midfielder who can play in central defence.”

Jullien was then asked about his future and went on to say: “I would like to come back into the team this year, the playing time is not there at all.

“I still have one year left on my contract here, and I would like to continue playing, but my priority is to be on the pitch.”

Jullien goes on to state he is open to opportunities this summer if he doesn’t feel like he’ll get the playing time he needs next season.

Christopher Jullien has a decision to make this summer

It will have been an extremely difficult task, having to come back from such a serious knee injury. So, you can somewhat understand Jullien’s frustration at not being back playing regularly.

However, at the same time, there is no denying that both Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers have been in sensational form this season and are yet to suffer a defeat playing alongside one another in the league.

Of course, Carter-Vickers is still only a loan player, and his future may be elsewhere past this campaign. So an opportunity may arise for Jullien this summer.

But, Postecoglou has made it clear that he hopes the American internationalist remains at Parkhead after the end of that spell.

Depending on that decision, Jullien may have a choice on his hands as to whether his future is still in Glasgow or if he would be better moving on for regular game time elsewhere.

In other news, Ange Postecoglou speaks as Celtic announce Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton departure.