Celtic star talks about Michael Jordan, his newest inspiration

One Celtic star has recently spoken up about someone who has recently become his newest inspiration in sports, Michael Jordan.

The world of sports is varied on, and the stars of today often cite inspiration in the form of their predecessors. Boxer Mike Tyson talks very deeply about the impact that Muhammad Ali had on his attitude and his life. Tom Brady remembers watching Joe Montana play in the NFL, who then would later go on to beat his hero out for most Super Bowl wins. For Celtic defender, Christopher Jullien, his inspiration has appeared due to a popular ESPN program and one of the greatest NBA basketball stars of all time, Michael Jordan.

Jullien has been a basketball fan his entire life, and now the documentary series The Last Dance has heaped a tonne of fuel on the Frenchman’s fire. He has been stuck inside during the quarantine and has used this time, as many of us have, and gone on a ESPN binge where he got sucked into the 12-part series on the Chicago Bulls and their epic run in the 1990’s.

The French star signed with The Bhoys in June of 2019 for the sum of £7 million from Toulouse. He scored the only goal in the Scottish League final against Rangers in late 2019 and guided his new team to victory, he now hungers for future success.

In an interview with The Scotsman, the energetic player gave his thoughts on the series and how the lessons he learned from it will carry over to football.

"“I finished The Last Dance on Wednesday and it was amazing,” said the 27-year-old. “One of the best ever. As a sportsman, I take a lot of inspiration from it and learn so much.“You see Michael Jordan’s talent, how he plays the games, his focus and the way he brings all his team-mates with him.“I love basketball and I also have the Kobe Bryant book in my house right now – Mamba Mentality.It goes through his life and how he plays the game. Phil Jackson, the Bulls’ coach in The Last Dance, features in it too. He also coached Kobe Bryant and says there are a lot of similarities between them.”"

The 27-year old studies the greats in his free time and wants to really break down what a winning mindset really is.

"“You can’t watch and read about world-class athletes like that without thinking about how you can improve your game. They are the basketball GOATs and if you can even take a little bit from their stories, it will help you.”"

Celtic F.C is going through a revamp stage after the exit of Brendan Rodger’s, the team is being restructured through upper-management and other staff on and off the pitch. With fresh faces, a fresh attitude could also augment a strong side going into the push for ten-in-a-row.

"“The sports are different but the mentality at Celtic has to be the same. We need to be ruthless. On the field, you almost have to be someone else. That’s how important mentality is.”"

He has cited the inspiration of Michael Jordan, but Jullien also acknowledges the big impact that the players around him have had on his own mental game. He remembers the sage words of advice about maintaining that championship status, a mindset that Jordan talks about a lot. In the 90’s, the Chicago Bulls were dominating the sports landscape with talent and an elite mindset.

"“I remember when I first signed for Celtic that I was amazed at the mental strength of the players, I spoke to Callum McGregor and guys like that and asked, ‘How can you stay at this level of success for so long?’ To become champions is hard but to stay champions is even harder.”"

The Bhoys are storming the Scottish Premier League and are looking to continue that streak of excellence with ten-in-a-row. They’re riding the crest of a high wave, much like the Bulls, and now it remains to be seen how they will keep their instincts sharp.

"“Your opponents come stronger and stronger and you need to increase your own levels. What Celtic have done for the last nine years is incredible and I can’t wait for more. I don’t think the season just finished will be our ‘Last Dance’ at Celtic. Definitely. We are all determined to come back stronger and throw everything at winning the league again. We will keep doing that every season and teams are going to have to go hard to stop us.”"

This is not the first time that Jullien has taken part in something historic, helping France secure the FIFA U-20 World Cup is a notable feather in the defender’s cap.

"“Winning the World Cup brings me huge memories, for sure.“I played with an unbelievable French squad and our team at that time was just the best. But I didn’t play too often and although I was part of the squad victory, when you aren’t on the pitch a lot of something is missing.”“This season I played all of the games for Celtic once I got my full fitness at the start. I played in the big games, I scored goals and I really felt like I played a big part in the achievement. To be part of a historic title like this for Celtic is way bigger for me than the World Cup.”"

He remembers the sense of camaraderie he felt during the Scottish Cup and the sense of inclusion that was lacking during his world cup victory.

"“I will always remember the Betfred Cup final because of how the game went. To score the winning goal was huge and the celebrations were amazing. It was one of the best games I have ever experienced. But winning the league is an even bigger achievement. It’s about the process from the start of the season. From when I arrived at Celtic, that was the aim and every week it gets harder.”"

Jullien recounts the revelation that he would have to up his game in life to truly do his new home in Scotland justice.

"“You have to win all the games and to win the title means so much for me and everyone at Celtic.When I arrived at Celtic, I knew that I would have to become a new man on and off the field. To receive that trophy was just the perfect achievement at the end of the season. It was hard not to celebrate with the fans but that will motivate us even more next season.”"

Jullien has recently unveiled his new home gym, and if his words written here are any indication he means to use it to maximize his potential going into the season post corona virus pandemic. The club was named champions  just last week, but the Frenchman has thrown himself back into training with a renewed passion.

Will this coming season be Celtic’s Last Dance or will The Hoops continue to break records for many years to come?