Christopher Jullien at Celtic: Triumph, Tragedy, and a Tale of Two Managers
When Christopher Jullien first walked through the doors at Celtic Park in the summer of 2019, the towering French centre-back came with great promise. Signed for around £7 million from Toulouse, he became Celtic’s second-most expensive signing at the time, sitting only behind Odsonne Edouard, the club’s record £9 million man. The expectations were enormous. Celtic had just come off a treble-winning season, and Jullien was being brought in to help sustain domestic dominance and provide steel in Europe. For a while, he looked every inch the solution the club hoped for.
But as with many football careers, Jullien’s Celtic journey wasn’t just about medals and moments—it became a story of incredible highs, devastating lows, and a complicated farewell that left a lasting impression on fans and the player himself.
Making an Instant Impact
Jullien wasted no time making his mark. Under Neil Lennon, he quickly settled into the backline and became a commanding presence. He had a combination of height, strength, and composure that made him ideal for Scottish football, and his ability to contribute at set-pieces added another layer to his game.
In total, Jullien made 62 appearances for Celtic and scored 10 goals—a remarkable tally for a central defender. But it wasn’t just the quantity of goals that mattered—it was the timing. Few fans will ever forget December 8, 2019, when Jullien scored the winner in the League Cup final against Rangers at Hampden Park. In a game where Celtic had their backs against the wall for long stretches and relied heavily on Fraser Forster’s heroics, it was Jullien who turned the tide, arriving at the back post to volley home a Ryan Christie free-kick. That goal secured the trophy and solidified his status as a clutch performer in big games.
Jullien also featured heavily in Celtic’s run toward a ninth consecutive league title in the 2019/20 season, which was eventually curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, his contributions were vital. He was part of a team that not only lifted the League Cup but also the Premiership title and Scottish Cup in a delayed final against Hearts—completing yet another domestic treble. For a player in his first season, it was a dream start.
The Turning Point: Injury at Paradise
But football is cruel. Just as Jullien was cementing himself as a cornerstone in Celtic’s backline, fate intervened. On December 30, 2020, in a league match against Dundee United, Jullien chased down a ball and, in a desperate attempt to clear it, collided forcefully with the goalpost. What seemed initially like a nasty knock turned out to be a serious knee injury. He was stretchered off the field and would not return to action for over a year.
That moment, though brief, was transformative. Celtic were in a state of flux, the ten-in-a-row season unraveling rapidly, Neil Lennon was under immense pressure, and Jullien’s absence proved to be a gaping hole in a defence that struggled without him.
In hindsight, the injury may have been the beginning of the end for his Celtic career. While he worked tirelessly on his rehabilitation, the world around him changed. Lennon resigned in early 2021, and that summer brought a new chapter for Celtic—Ange Postecoglou arrived, ushering in a tactical revolution.
Ange Postecoglou: A New Era, and a New Reality
Postecoglou’s appointment in the summer of 2021 was a bold move by Celtic. Known for his high-intensity, attacking football, the Australian manager wasted no time implementing his philosophy. He revamped the squad with pace, precision, and positional fluidity. For a player like Jullien, just returning from a major injury, it was a tough environment to break into.
By the time he was fit, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt had formed a rock-solid partnership at the heart of Celtic’s defence. The team was winning, the football was flowing, and Ange had found his rhythm. Unfortunately, there was little room for sentiment.
Jullien featured just once under Postecoglou—in a Scottish Cup tie against Raith Rovers in February 2022. That 4-0 victory was routine, and for Jullien, it was a rare taste of first-team football. Despite training hard, remaining professional, and reportedly having good sessions at Lennoxtown, he could not break back in. He admitted in a later interview that he was promised a few minutes toward the end of the season once the title was wrapped up. But that opportunity never came.
Respect and Regret: Jullien Reflects on His Time Under Ange
In a candid interview with The Celtic Way, Jullien offered a mature and nuanced perspective on the two managers he played under. He praised Ange Postecoglou as a top-class coach, someone who taught him “crazy stuff” about positional awareness, pressing, and ball movement. From a tactical point of view, Jullien said he learned a great deal. But he also admitted that they didn’t connect on a personal level.
“He was a really good coach,” Jullien said. “But as a man, we didn’t have that link.”
He described Lennon as much more emotionally invested in his players—someone who took time to bond with individuals, listen to them, and become a mentor figure. Jullien even referred to him as “kind of like a second father.” That level of closeness was absent under Postecoglou, and while Jullien respected it, it was clearly something he missed.
Despite the cold shoulder, there was no bitterness. Jullien understood the pressures of modern management. “The team is winning every game three or four-zero. You’re winning everything,” he said, acknowledging that sometimes there’s no room for fringe players, no matter how committed they are behind the scenes.
The Departure and Life After Celtic
In the summer of 2022, with opportunities limited, Jullien moved on. He signed for Montpellier in Ligue 1, returning to France to restart his career. His time at Celtic ended not with a standing ovation or testimonial, but with quiet dignity.
Some fans believe Jullien was treated harshly toward the end. Others accept that injuries and competition made it an unavoidable outcome. What’s clear is that he left Celtic with pride, grateful for the highs and wiser from the lows.
Legacy at Celtic: More Than Just a Cup Final Goal
So how should Christopher Jullien’s time at Celtic be remembered?
He may not have reached legendary status or racked up hundreds of appearances, but he made a significant impact during a crucial period in the club’s modern history. He was part of a treble-winning squad, scored a match-winning goal against Rangers, and conducted himself with professionalism through adversity.
For a while, he looked like the long-term answer to Celtic’s defensive questions. Injuries and circumstances cut that promise short. But the memories remain.
In the eyes of many Celtic fans, that diving finish at Hampden, the roars of celebration, and the image of Jullien towering over the Rangers defence are more than enough to ensure he won’t be forgotten.
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