The absence of Christopher Jullien from recent matchday squads was always going to raise questions surrounding a potential injury set back, with the Celtic defender now having been out of competitive action for 13 months.
However, Ange Postecoglou, who touched on the subject of Jullien’s return to action at yesterday’s press conference, has indicated there is little to worry about when asked when we would be likely to see the player starting a game soon.
“I don’t know. It depends on how the games go. It depends on when the opportunities arise. I have said all along that he is training and he is injury-free and there are no issues and it is just a matter of waiting on his opportunity now. When that will come, I don’t know it will depend on how the team is going and when we need to give him that opportunity.
“He is doing everything right in terms of training and he is available for selection.”
Having been involved in the matchday squads for the post winter break matches with Alloa, Hearts and Dundee United but then posted missing from theRangers game and then also Sunday’s squad for the 4-0 win at Fir Park, questions are bound to be asked of the manager and fans will clearly have their concerns. Yet as reported by the Scotsman , it appears the recent omission of Chris Julien is more for tactical reasons and positional cover rather than anything more concerning –
“Obviously when you are looking at the bench there is no point having too many players from one position in there. So from our perspective, the bench is there to, hopefully, help us during the game, and for the most part we have attacking players on there.
“But Chris is training well, he’s fit and available and will get an opportunity. But when that opportunity comes, we’ll see. It’s got to be right and he’ll get an opportunity soon.”
A fit and firing Chris Jullien will certainly bring strength in depth to a defensive unit already performing well, however you can fully understand Ange Postecoglou’s reasoning.
Perhaps there may be an opportunity in Sunday’s Scottish Cup-tie with Raith Rovers at Celtic Park for Chris Jullien, a player many fans would like the opportunity to welcome back to the first team fold after such a long time out with a serious knee injury, to at long last get back on the grass. He’d be sure of a cracking welcome back.
Niall J
READ THIS…Tribute to David Cattanach – Quality Street Bhoy who lived the dream
