Christopher Jullien praises the impact of Neil Lennon

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Christopher Jullien has revealed the chat that Neil Lennon had with him when he wasn’t in his first-team plans.

Much was made of the Frenchman’s start at Celtic, with the defender starting just one of our six Champions League matches. Jullien didn’t feature at all as Celtic crashed out to CFR Cluj in Glasgow, and he has only become a first-team regular since then.

However, he says he always had the backing of the Northern Irishman, and revealed that the pair actually had a recent discussion on the subject.

“He is the one who believes in me the most at this club,” Jullien told press. (Celtic official YouTube channel)

“We had a chat a few weeks ago and he said that he believed in me and that I didn’t have to panic. Just to be sure of my talent.

“Every training session he is behind me and supporting me with everything I’m doing. So I’m happy with that.

“I was training every day and feeling sharper but it was the choice of the coach (not to play me against Cluj). If he sees that I’m not fit enough then I will work again and again. I respect that 100%.”

Jullien and Lennon seem to have a good relationship

It’s interesting to hear that Jullien and Lennon had a discussion while he was out of the team. The Frenchman didn’t give too much away about when the chat happened but it’s probably fair to assume it was around the Cluj match.

Celtic may not have lost four goals at home to Dan Petrescu’s side if Jullien had been bedded into the side at that stage. The defender has become a mainstay in recent weeks, and looks to be improving with every passing match.

It was a black mark against Lennon’s name that he couldn’t get the 6ft 5in man up to speed in time for our important Champions League qualifer. However, that’s over and done with now and the best thing we can do is look to the future.

That future looks bright with Jullien at the heart of our defence. He looked imperious in the weekend victory over Ibrox but the most encouraging thing is you feel there’s far more to come.