New update emerges on Christopher Jullien’s Celtic return

Defence has been a worry for Celtic in recent times and one of the biggest reasons behind that has been the long-term absence of Christopher Jullien through injury. The French defender has not featured even a single time this year but now, there appears to be a fresh update on his return to the pitch.

At the moment, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Stephen Welsh appear to be competing for the two centre-back spots in the starting XI while Dane Murray, Osaze Urhoghide, Nir Bitton and Liam Scales are capable of playing there as well.

Jullien would be expected to get right back into the mix of things when he is back and it is arguable that he is the best defender at the club right now.

Ange Postecoglou has given an update on when that could possibly happen. While speaking at the media conference on Celtic’s official YouTube channel and as reported by 67 Hail Hail, the manager said regarding Jullien:

"“With him, it’s about now getting him to train with the team and getting him to feel good about himself, confident. There are no issues with an injury now, it’s just about, after being out for so long, getting him up to speed where he feels comfortable.“Obviously it’s challenging because there’s no real game time for us to get him involved in. I expect between now and the international break for him to continue to work hard and then post-international break hopefully it’s a little bit of a target for him to become available.”"

New update on Jullien’s return to the pitch for Celtic from his long-term injury

First of all, it is brilliant news that he has recovered from his injury. Now, it will be about him getting up to match speed and reaching a point where he is able to perform like he used before the injury.

Coming to the timeline of his return to the pitch, the next international break is next month and Celtic will return to action on the 20th of November for the Scottish League Cup semi-final against St Johnstone. Thus, at best, one can expect Jullien to return to action in late November.

Initially, Jullien was expected to spend around four months out with his injury but it is safe to say that it has been much longer than that by now. In fact, he has not made a single appearance for the club in 2021. And it will be a huge boost to have him back on the pitch, whenever that turns out to be.