Watch Christopher Jullien on beIN SPORTS France – Europa League Final Ambition for Celtic

CELTIC STAR Christopher Jullien has taking advantage of the International break to go back home to France, where he just can’t stop talking about Celtic.

The defender, who joined the Hoops in July in a £7million transfer deal from Toulouse has appeared on French TV and all the chat seems to have been about what it’s like playing for the Scottish Champions who are high flyers in this season’s Europa League.

Celtic of course have been getting great exposure in France over the past few years. Moussa Dembele’s exploits in the Hoops received widespread media coverage in his homeland and more recently late French winners for Celtic in both matches against Lazio in the Europa League have been widely shown around Europe.

Jullien grabbed the winner in the 2-1 win at Celtic Park against the Italian giants before Olivier Ntcham’s dink five minutes into stoppage time in Rome gave Celtic our first ever win won Italian soil and at the same time eliminated current French Cup holders Rennes who are visitors to Celtic Park for the Europa League match day 5 a week on Thursday.

Jullien celebrates his winner against Lazio at Celtic Park on a dark Scottish evening

Their manager, Julien Stéphan, has already indicated that he plans to play youth players against Celtic and in the final group match against Lazio in Brittany on 12 December.

Edouard in action against Georgia on Friday night

And of course the French interest in all things Celtic has been heightened by the exploits of Odsonne Edouard who is fast becoming the most talked about striker in his homeland for his exploits for the French Under 21s. Odsonne’s 92nd minute penalty, away to Georgia in the Euro qualifier, gave France a 3-2 victory and continues their winning run in the qualifiers, helped of course by the Celtic striker’s 10 goals in five games for France Under 21s. The French media have clearly noticed the goalscoring prowess of the Celtic Star, this was Equipe de France before the game on Friday evening.

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) November 15, 2019

What is something of a mystery is why the French seem surprised by the goalscoring form shown by Odsonne Edouard wearing his country’s colours.

Look at his record for all levels of International football, as tweeted by Celtic Soccer Show.

Odsonne Edouard for France:

U17: 14 games, 15 goals
U18: 9 games, 4 goals
U19: 13 games, 5 goals
U21: 5 games, 10 goals

Anyway back to French TV celebrity Christopher Jullien and his high profile appearance on beIN SPORTS France. Here’s what happened with an attempt at translation below, courtesy of Pat Don.

“I reckon he was saying that it gets dark really early (4.30pm), that the Celtic fans are really nice, it’s a bit hard when he wants to have a meal or drink with his family and that he is under no illusions about the importance of first equalling 9 in a row and then getting 10,” Pat translated.

Here’s what happened…

Boab noted this: “People say footballers are thick, but that’s lads French is very good.”

Bolingoli (not the player) more seriously said: “Basically saying there is no VAR up here, more physical and it’s a lot rougher.

And it went into Extra Time too.

Chris Steven Mackle translated roughly as this: “To summarize, if he had a wish it would be to go to the final of the Europa league with Celtic this year! HailHail”

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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