Chris Jullien is on course for an early return to action and could be back playing in August.
The Frenchman hasn’t played a game this year with his initial absence extended into next season as he began his rehab campaign.
Central defence is looking like a priority area for the next Celtic manager to strengthen with the earlier than anticipated return of Jullien providing some reassurance with reports suggesting that Kris Ajer and possibly Nir Bitton will quit the club in the summer.
David Friel, formerly of the Celtic View, reports in The Sun:
CHRISTOPHER JULLIEN could hand Celtic a boost by making an August return. The French defender was expected to be out until September after undergoing a knee operation.
But SunSport understands Jullien is now working towards an earlier return date as his rehab steps up. The £7million Celtic star has been doing intensive work at the French Federation’s Clairefontaine base.
Jullien has now started outside running on the training pitches and is making good progress following his January surgery.
Stephen Welsh looks like the only central defender certain to return for pre-season training in June with the 22-year-old in his first season of top team football.
Jullien was a £7m signing from Toulouse in the summer of 2019. Although Neil Lennon left him out of the Champions League qualifiers he made his mark on the side with two outstanding performances against Lazio and the winning goal in the 2019 Betfred Cup Final.