Chris Jullien appears to be ready to return to action for Celtic after a disastrous 2021.
The defender injured his knee in a collision with a goal post in the final match of 2020 but no one could have predicted what lay in store over the coming 12 months.
Neil Lennon’s forecast of three or four months out proved to be wildly optimistic with the Irishman gone long before Jullien was even in rehab mode.
After a spell in France, Jullien was back at Celtic for pre-season training but was on his own programme while Ange Postecoglou took a makeshift squad to Wales.
An expected return in November failed to materialise but after some vague recent comments on the fitness of the Frenchman Postecoglou has told The Sun that Jullien will be available again next month:
Chris will be a great addition. It’ll be like a new signing for us. We’re looking forward to having him back.
He has had a couple of little setbacks, but we are hoping he’s now at a point where he’s ready to train fully with the team and make himself available.
Chris is a good player. He’s very commanding and very confident, so we will get him involved and I’m sure he can add to us.
In Jullien’s absence Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers have become Celtic’s first choice central defenders with Stephen Welsh a very able back-up.
The Frenchman’s contract expires in May 2023 which normally means that a new deal should be signed within the next six months or transfer arranged during the summer 2022 transfer window.
Missed his presence in both boxes angi can ease him in as long as no injuries Ange has not had the chance to rest players going all the way to win Cup still in Europe internationals where most first sqaud play in full and under 21so add it up and a small group of players to pick from so no rest for our main sqaud that’s where injuries Scotland manager tried to not push them but eventually had to play his best players Hooe fully injuries settle down angi can bring in quality players that he can rest individual players
Great to see him coming back, how he copes with Ange’s physically demanding style of football will be interesting. I’m not expecting much initially as he may well have to be eased in over a period of time to avoid any subsequent recurrence or niggles as he adapts but he will definitely be great for the squad. I think he will add a calmness and confidence at the back when fully fit but I do hope he’s been working hard on defending cross balls. HH