Former Celtic centre back Christopher Jullien has detailed his struggles since joining Montpellier from the Hoops last summer.

The Frenchman moved to Glasgow from Toulouse in 2019 for a fee of 8 million euros (Transfermarkt) and excelled in his maiden year in green and white.

Jullien scored a late winner against Lazio in the Europa League and also netted the only goal of the game in a thrilling Glasgow derby cup final in which Celtic were triumphant.

Lockdown came, though, and along with a lot of his Celtic teammates, Jullien declined. He then suffered a horrendous injury to his leg which kept him out for a long while.

Under Ange Postecoglou, the Frenchman seemed to always be out of favour when fit and eventually moved back to his homeland, Montpellier paying 1 million euros (Transfermarkt) for his services.

For the Ligue 1 club this season, Jullien has made 24 appearances and has recently spoke about how he initially struggled in the South of France (Montpellier via Glasgow Times):

“I always gave the maximum but I must admit that I was not at the top in some matches, far from it.

“When you go through periods when you’re less well, it’s not easy but it’s even less so when the collective isn’t at its best either.

“Today, since collectively we are better, the individualities stand out better and it’s always easier.”

Jullien has also admitted he feels much more at ease now than he did when he initially moved to Montpellier:

“Let’s say that the serenity I feel today I would have liked to bring it as soon as I arrived, but I couldn’t find what I needed.

“What is certain, however, is that today I feel more comfortable and I think it shows on the pitch and at team level.”

12 points above the drop zone with eight games to go, Montpellier are well clear of the drop.

This means that Jullien can enjoy his football between now and the end of the season and continually look to progress despite a tough start to life with his new club.