“Why I made the decision to join Celtic,” Christopher Jullien – Je ne regrette rien | OneFootball

Christopher Jullien acknowledges that a serious knee injury, which sidelined him for a year, made it clear his time at Celtic was coming to an end, but he maintains he has no regrets about his three years at the club…

Christopher Jullien of Celtic scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League group E match between Celtic FC and Lazio Roma at Celtic Park on October 24, 2019. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Signed by Neil Lennon for £7 million in the summer of 2019, the French defender played a pivotal role in helping Celtic secure their fourth consecutive domestic treble.

Jullien has some amazing Celtic highlights

During that season, he scored seven goals in 47 appearances, including the decisive strike in the 2019 League Cup final win over theRangers and a dramatic last-minute goal in a 2-1 Europa League victory against Lazio.

Christopher Jullien endured a serious knee injury during a match against Dundee United in December 2020, and although he made a comeback a year later, he only played once more for the club, making a brief appearance in a Scottish Cup win over Raith Rovers in February 2022.

After Ange Postecoglou succeeded Neil Lennon as Celtic manager in June 2021, Jullien decided to leave the club and return to France, joining Montpellier at the end of the 2021/2022 season.

Christopher Jullien and Kristoffer Ajer of Celtic celebrate with the trophy following the Betfred Cup Final between Rangers FC and Celtic FC at Hampden Park on December 08, 2019. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

While he gained valuable insights from the Australian manager, the centre-back understood why it was challenging to make his way back into the Celtic lineup once he had regained his fitness.

“Celtic were playing unstoppable and unbelievable football when I was making my way back”

Speaking via The Herald, he said: “I wish I could have more time [at Celtic]. The thing is, though, Celtic were playing unstoppable and unbelievable football when I was making my way back.”

“Some people were saying to me that I should go and see the manager and talk to him, to know why I was not playing or what I could do to get on the team. I heard them, but I asked them ‘Did you see the team playing this weekend? What can I do? Why would the manager change a team that is winning?’ They were crushing everyone, and it was crazy.”

Christopher Jullien injures his knee after running into the goalpost while preventing a goal against Dundee United. Photo: Andrew Milligan

The former France U20 international also drew comparisons between the coaching approaches of Lennon and Postecoglou: “I think Neil [Lennon] was a bit closer to his players,” he added. “Ange was a little less close to his players, but his way of playing, the way he coached, was really good.”

‘I learned so much from Ange Postecoglou’

“He made me learn some stuff, some crazy stuff about the position, everything about the pitch, how we wanted to play, how we want to attack and how we want to defend. I learned so much from Ange Postecoglou. But Lennon, after the first day we talked about things, He became kind of like a second father to me.”

“They were just two different managers, and I really think that at the end of the day, both of them had some good stuff. That’s why they were managers of Celtic, you know? They were two really good managers. I remember when he [Lennon] came – he travelled to see me from a small, private airport!”

Christopher Jullien of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League group E match between Celtic FC and Lazio Roma at Celtic Park on October 24, 2019. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

‘Why I made the decision to join Celtic’

“We had the time to come and have the meeting together. I remember that the meeting was really special. We had some private conversations, some good things to make me feel comfortable, and of course, some stuff about football.

Je ne regrette rien

“That made me feel comfortable, especially with his view of how he wanted to play and how he wanted me in the team. I thought it was a perfect match from that point. That is why I made the decision to join Celtic, and I still do not regret one per cent from that day – I do not regret anything.”

Conor Spence

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image above to join.

More Stories / Latest News

“Why I made the decision to join Celtic,” Christopher Jullien – Je ne regrette rien

Apr 17 2025, 8:43

James Forrest – Celtic’s man for a Hampden high on Easter Sunday

Apr 17 2025, 7:59

“I am grateful for a bit of rhythm,” Matt O’Riley puts injury woes behind him

Apr 17 2025, 7:26