Neil Lennon is delighted with the progress of Celtic defender Christopher Jullien this season, feeling he’s learned lessons and become a popular member of the dressing room, The Glasgow Times report.
Jullien’s performance against St Johnstone was crucial to our progression in the Scottish Cup, making a last-ditch clearance at one end before helping Ryan Christie net from a free-kick late in the match to secure the win.
It isn’t the first time the Frenchman has played well this season of course with displays against Lazio standing out, as well as his cup final goal against Rangers.
One game he did struggle in was against Livingston last October when the champions fell to a 2-0 defeat.
That day Lyndon Dykes gave Jullien a torrid time, something that the defender will want to put right tomorrow night.
Lennon thinks that day was a massive learning curve for the player.
As quoted by The Glasgow Times, the manager said: “That was a big lesson for him but it’s one he learned quickly. There is a maturity about him and he has leadership qualities. He has integrated really well, and the boys like him.
“In some of the big games, he’s put in some heroic performances. In Copenhagen he was outstanding, Lazio he had a great game, and there have been super performances domestically.
“His goal tally is right up there as well with seven or eight for the season already.”
There will be no room for poor performances away to Livi tomorrow night.
Gary Holt’s team are a well-drilled outfit and remain the only side to have beaten us away from home in Scotland this season.
Jullien’s one weakness as a defender this term has been dealing with physical attacking threats but hopefully the fact there are no surprises this time around has him firing on all cylinders.
Celtic may have a 12 point lead at the top of the table but just one slip up will bring Rangers back into things, with their game in hand.
We need to continue our relentless march up to and including the match at Ibrox later this month to be truly comfortable.
Do you think Jullien will have learned his Livingston lesson? Has he been Neil Lennon’s best signing this season? Share your thoughts below in our new discussion forum…
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