Neil Lennon would have enjoyed his side’s comfortable return to action following their Boli Bolingoli enforced break from football and the Hoops gaffer will be pleased to have been vindicated in more ways than one, as he singled out a key player for praise after their safe progression to the second qualifying round of the Champions League, as reported by The Daily Record.
Christopher Jullien has been the target of criticism from some quarters following his sluggish start to the season and after a torrid time against Kilmarnock in the second league game of the season – in which he gave away a penalty – Lennon was forced to defend the £7million man:
“He takes a bit of time to get going and it was the same situation last year. He came in for a couple of games then we left him out for the Cluj game.
“We just felt he wasn’t up to speed – and you could see that rustiness was there yesterday – but he went on to have an outstanding season and I’m expecting more of the same from him.”
The giant centre-half returned to form against Reykjavik though and with Nir Bitton alongside him rather than Kristoffer Ajer, the Frenchman look assured as he led his defence to their first clean sheet of the season.
Jullien was a key figure and his manager couldn’t help but wax lyrical about his performance:
“Not only did he set up the first goal, he goes and attacks to score a great goal from a corner.
“That is what he gives to the team and, when he is doing that, I know he is sort of getting there now in terms of full fitness.
“I thought defensively he looked a lot more like himself, which I felt he would do. The more he plays, the better he gets. He can be delighted.”
The 27-year old has been a commanding presence at both ends of the park since his arrival from Toulouse last summer, and one rusty performance certainly wouldn’t have been enough for Lennon to lose faith or press the panic button in the transfer market.
Has Jullien been value for money since his arrival?
Yes
No
With Celtic returning to domestic action against Dundee United at the weekend, the gaffer will be hoping for more of the same from his defensive stalwart as he looks to get their ten-in-a-row campaign back on track.