Jullien believes Lennon’s men ‘ now on a good vibe’
Sometimes teams can ride out injuries to their imposing centre- halves. Take Liverpool for example.
Forced to be without Virgil van Dijk after a knee operation, Jurgen Klopp’s side have simply strengthened their hold on the English league title.
Celtic struggled slightly more obviously without Christopher Jullien while he was absent with a back problem at the start of the season.
They certainly missed him in the first Old Firm derby of the campaign when they fell so limply at home to Rangers in October.
Defensive problems continued to blight Neil Lennon’s side in the subsequent 3- 3 draw with Aberdeen and 4- 1 home defeat by Sparta Prague.
Things were getting so desperate that when Jullien did return, for the Betfred Cup clash with Ross County, not even his presence was enough to bring them out of this slough of despond.
That was the nadir of the campaign so far but slowly and surely the champions have been putting together a run of results that have kept them in touch with Rangers at the top of the Premiership while also helping keep Lennon in a job.
Jullien has been instrumental in this. Celtic have kept back- to- back clean sheets in the league for the first time since the start of October.
They have another two games to negotiate against Hamilton this afternoon and Dundee United on Wednesday before they face the toughest task of all against Rangers at Ibrox a week today.
Jullien’s continued availability seems imperative if Celtic are to make in roads in Rangers’ current 16- point lead, although there is the not inconsiderable matter of the Parkhead side’s three games in hand to factor in. Much remains to be played for.
“I was watching when I was out,” said the French centrehalf. “It’s just how it is when you are stuck in front of the TV.
"It’s hard, but I was trying to stay in touch with my mates and tell them I was still there with them even though I couldn’t play.
“I still have the confidence we would turn things around. It was definitely a difficult time. And I know in football there are some bad runs sometimes and you just have to bounce back.
“That’s the quality you can see in a good footballer. The quality to bounce back when things are not so good. I really have the feeling that we are now on a good vibe.”
Jullien believes fans need to take into account the relative youth of the team and the fact that winning trophies, as much as it became a habit for Celtic, is not as straightforward as it might look.
“Nine in a row and winning so many trophies is very difficult, but people are thinking that it is just easy because it is Celtic,” he said. “That’s what the coach tells us every day, that it’s not easy. Sometimes I would like to give my boots to other people and let them come on to the field and see what the pressure feels like.”
Jullien believes Celtic have now overcome the football equivalent of the yips. “Can I sense a freedom now? Yeah, you can see it now,” he said.
“You can see it on the field. You can see it seems easy when everyone is positive, and we go in the one direction.”
Lennon has hailed his young guns as his Celtic side look to maintain their recent good run against Hamilton today.
While detailing the impact 22- year-old Ismaila Soro, inset, has had on the team in recent weeks, the Celtic manager noted his team’s tender age profile. Inexperience could be one reason for the recent poor run, but Lennon is confident his side are back on track as they attempt to make it three league wins in a row this afternoon.
Lennon might have a decisi onto make with Scott Brown expected to be fit to return after missing Wednesday night’s 2- 0 win over Ross County. Soro has impressed while standing in for Brown, most recently against County after overcoming a bout of food poisoning. It meant he was only able to feature as a substitute – for Brown – in last weekend’s Scottish Cup final win over Hearts.
“I told him he isn't allowed to cook again - he must eat in the canteen!” said Lennon. "He had sickness and diarrhoea the night before, although he felt better in the morning.
"Soro still has to mature a bit in that sense but he will learn. He's only 22 and you know what, I was actually thinking about how young the team is during the week.
"Con or Hazard, J er emie Frimpong, Kris Ajer, Greg Taylor, Soro, David Turnbull, Mikey Johnston and Odsonne Edouard are all young lads. We have a lot of boys in their early 20s who have been very successful and are hungry for more. They have found it a bit more difficult this season but there is still a long way to go.”
Soro has dovetailed well in Brown’s absence with standin skipper Callum Mcgregor, who continues to be such a lynchpin while surrounded by several younger team- mates.
“I thought Call um was superb against Ross County on Wednesday night,” said Lennon "After 120 minutes and a penalty shootout against Hearts, he just goes again. His second-half performance against County was exemplary. When Scott doesn't play, Call um is the captain and that's because he is a model professional.”
Brown and Shane Duffy both missed the visit of County through injury but Lennon is hopeful of their return for the trip to Lanarkshire.
Lennon said: "They should be okay. Browny had an abductor strain and Shane had a slight niggle in the hamstring. They will be assessed on Christmas Day but particularly Brown should be fine and we are hoping Shane will be okay as well."