Jullien’s options limited by successful CCV-Starfelt partnership

If recent reports are accurate Christopher Jullien would appear to have held discussions with his representatives in Paris, and emerged from those talks deciding his immediate future – and the last year of his contract with Celtic – will be seen out in Glasgow.

Record Sport has reported Celtic were keen to offload Jullien this summer rather than risk losing the player in next summer on a free, but it now appears with the hardly surprising lack of interest emerging in the player thus far that Jullien intends to return to Celtic for pre-season training. Jullien hasn’t played more than a few minutes of football in 18 months so there are hardly going to be clubs scouting him and looking to pay Celtic a substantial transfer fee for a player Celtic spent a hefty sum on.

‘Record Sport understands they’ve received no concrete bids so far for the defender. And after a meeting with his representatives in Paris last week, Jullien has told Postecoglou he’s ready to fight for his future this term.’

Jullien has a tough fight on his hands on a couple of fronts here. Cameron Carter-Vickers, having signed on at Celtic permanently, following a highly impressive loan season from Spurs, has built up a fine understanding with his defensive partner Carl Starfelt, and as we reported in The Celtic Star last night, it appears the hamstring or back injury our Swedish central defender picked up on international duty may not be as serious as first feared.

That leaves Jullien in the same position – when it comes to claiming a starting XI berth next season – of having to shift the best central defensive partnership in the Scottish top flight and also being behind Stephen Welsh when it comes to back-up options. Add to that Celtic are apparently keen to add at least one more central defender, be that a loan deal or a permanent acquisition, and Jullien may find gaining a first team shirts all the harder next season.

Jullien will also have to convince his teammates and manager that his ill-advised public complaints about a lack of gametime under Postecoglou are now water under the bridge. Given the timing of the outburst came when Celtic were in the process of wrapping up the league title, a dressing room group – who seem a tight knit bunch – may require convincing Jullien remains on the same page as them when it comes to defending their league title and making inroads in the Champions League.

Of course, Jullien’s big advantage is pre-season usually means a fresh start for every player involved, and if the Frenchman’s mind is focused on Celtic and his body is fully up to fitness, there is every chance a fully invested Christopher Jullien could convince Ange Postecoglou that he has what it takes to displace one of two impressive central defenders from his Celtic side.

It is however a big ask on the part of Jullien, and having appeared to have burned his bridges publicly with Celtic, it also takes a leap of faith to be convinced the player is fully invested in Celtic with this apparent decision to stay and fight for his place rather than now being aware no other suitors – at this stage of the transfer window anyway – appear to have materialised.

For Postecoglou this could also impact on his summer transfer budget, as you can be certain Jullien, having arrived from Toulouse for £7m, has a wage that reflects the size of the fee paid – as such bringing in a new player on a significant wage may well be hindered somewhat by Jullien remaining in situ.

There remains plenty of time for an offer from France or elsewhere to arrive and change the thinking of Chris Jullien, but for now in the absence of interest it appears Jullien will be back for pre-season training and looking towards the likelihood of a pre-contract agreement with a new club come January.

Niall J

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