STEPHEN MCGOWAN has confirmed that Christopher Jullien is likely to make the bench for Celtic’s clash with Sparta Prague on Thursday. The French defender hasn’t featured since the 5-0 win over Ross County owing to the inflammation of his lower back.

Now the Daily Mail Chief Sport Editor has said that Celtic could welcome him back to the first team fold for the trip to Czechia. The defender posted on a montage of his recovery on Twitter and that he was looking forward to getting back onto the pitch. The Frenchman could be the answer to Neil Lennon’s defensive prayers should his return come within the next week ahead of a hectic run of fixtures.

The French defender hasn’t featured since the 5-0 win over Ross County owing to the inflammation of his lower back.

Celtic are 11 points behind but with two games in hand. Neil Lennon will be hopeful of having one of his defensive lieutenants back to shore up what has been a leaking defence.