Opinion: Transfer activity pushes Celtic star closer to exit door

Celtic’s recent signing of central defender Moritz Jenz on loan until the end of the 2022/23 season seems likely to have an impact on the Hoops career of another centre-back who is currently at the club – Christopher Jullien.

The 29-year-old looks set to be pushed further down the defensive pecking order with the arrival of Jenz, and it makes his Celtic exit look even more likely.

Jullien’s exit at Celtic has looked to be on the cards since he failed to get into the Hoops side after returning to fitness from a long-term knee injury, and the arrival of Jenz means that his chances of featuring for the Hoops are even more limited.

The defender has one year left on his current contract, and the chances of the deal being extended are slim and none. Indeed, a few weeks ago Jullien travelled to Germany to discuss a move to Schalke, but the move broke down to reported financial issues.

The fact that Celtic were willing to let the player travel to Germany, and the player was keen on going, all but confirms that the Hoops won’t stand in the way of any club that wants to sign Jullien, although the deal will have to suit all parties.

The player will want first-team football which is understandable, as when you take into account his injury which kept him out of action for a year, Jullien hasn’t played regular football since December 2020, and he isn’t going to get that football at Celtic Park.

Celtic will want to avoid paying up the last year of the player’s contract, they will want to get a transfer sorted, and the fact that Schalke were interested in signing Jullien is perhaps an indication that there will be teams that are eager to bring the player to their club.

Celtic don’t really need to sign that many more players in the