Christopher Jullien in defiant Celtic transfer stance as defender breaks silence after Schalke switch collapse

The Frenchman has been set to move to the Bundesliga side but failed to agree personal terms.

Out of favour Christopher Jullien has spoke for the first time since the collapse of his move from Celtic to Schalke last week.

The 29-year-old reported for the first day of pre-season training at Lennoxtown with his future unclear but a post emerged on his social media hinting he was on a plane out of Scotland. It would quickly emerge that the Frenchman was in talks with the Bundesliga side, having spent much of the last 18 months injured after colliding with the post in a league clash against Dundee United in January 2021.

Jullien has made after just one appearance under Ange Postecoglou, in a Scottish Cup cameo against Raith Rovers when he played just 16 minutes. Despite passing a medical at Schalke he failed to agree personal terms over a loan move, and is now back at the Premiership champions with a year left on his deal with the Bundesliga side moving on to other targets.

Reports in Germany suggest that Japan international Maya Yoshida will join from Sampdoria. That leaves Jullien preparing for a battle for game time at Parkhead, having travelled with the Celtic squad to Vienna for their pre-season training camp.

The centre-back faces a tough task of dislodging Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt after the duo formed an impressive partnership at the heart of the title-winning defence. Stephen Welsh was Postecoglou's preferred back-up option.

Jullien appears up for the fight as he broke his silence following the collapse of his move to Ruhr. He posted to Instagram with a picture of him training, with the caption: 'Seize the moment."

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