“409 days, since the last time i was subbed in Paradise…” Jullien on his Return

For most of us yesterday’s Scottish Cup tie with Raith Rovers was unremarkable. Celtic were far from their best, and the performance in the first half in particular was as flat as it has been from Celtic form many months.

In the end a halftime rollicking from Ange Postecogou and the introduction of Jota from the subs bench brightened up proceedings, as Celtic got the job done and progressed in the Scottish Cup quite comfortably but far from spectacularly, in a game few will remember.

However, that won’t be the case for Christopher Jullien, who will certainly remember a run of the mill Scottish Cup tie against lower league opposition.

The Celtic defender has been out of action for close to 14 months with a horrific knee injury received when colliding with the post in the final game of 2020 against Dundee United. This time around a substitution at Celtic Park at Celtic Park was a cause for celebration rather than concern for Christopher Jullien and the entire Celtic support, as the French defender made his return to action yesterday afternoon, and took to social media to reflect on his welcome return to the first team fold.

“409 days, since the last time i was subbed in Paradise… It’s been a very challenging time in my life. I thought about all the people that helped me through this journey, specially my family and friends.Thankfull to be part of such a club and feeling all the love from the best supporters Now let’s go!”

It’s hard to imagine just how tough the journey back to fitness has been for Jullien. There will no doubt have been dark times training on his own during his period of recuperation where he probably wondered if he’d get back at all, as such yesterday must have felt like a Cup Final rather than an altogether ordinary Scottish Cup tie against Raith Rovers.

And for Celtic and Jullien the timing could not be better. The defender’s skillset in central defence brings something different to the options available for Ange Postecoglou and his height can be advantageous attacking and defending set pieces, as Celtic head into the business end of the season still fighting for trophies on three fronts.

It will of course be a gradual reintroduction for Jullien and the club will be mindful to take care as he gets back up to match sharpness, however it was fantastic to see the player back at Paradise after such a long time out, and while we may already have forgotten a mundane cup win over Raith Rovers, it’s likely to be a game Christopher Jullien remembers far more fondly.

Niall J

About Author

As a Bellshill Bhoy I was taken to my first Celtic game in the summer of 1987. It was Billy McNeill’s return to Celtic Park as manager and Celtic lost 5-1 to Arsenal . I thought I was a jinx, I think my Grandfather might have thought the same. It was the finest gift anyone ever gave me when he walked me through Parkhead's gates.

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