Neil Lennon has suggested that Christopher Jullien could be out for up to nine months in a major blow for the team as well as the French defender. Lennon told the Sun that the player would be out for between six and nine months meaning he would likely miss the European qualifiers and the start of the season.
“He’s out for a long time, maybe six to nine months, so he is back to do some rehab in France.”
In the 3-0 win over Dundee United, the French defender rushed towards the goal and slid in to make a goal saving clearance but was left grounded when his knee collided with the base of the post. The horror smash saw the central defender stretchered off.
The 27-year-old was ruled out for four months and then tested positive for COVID-19 with the team in Dubai. This result meant that 13 teammates were forced to isolate. The player recently travelled back to France visiting FFF’s Clairefontaine medical centre in order to rehabilitate from the knee injury.
Celtic are short at the back with Stephen Welsh, Kris Ajer and Shane Duffy the only three fit central defenders. The club missed out on Ben Davies, Filip Benkovic and Mark McKenzie in the transfer window, so will likely be recruiting defenders in the close season ahead of a major rebuild at the club – especially with Jullien expected to be out for a while.