Christopher Jullien praises Celtic mentality as he reveals his Last Dance inspiration

The centre-back has been inspired by the feats of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

Christopher Jullien has been hooked on the Chicago Bulls documentary and reckons Michael Jordan’s antics can inspire him to become a Celtic legend.

But unlike the Netflix tale of NBA superstars taking a final shot at glory, the Parkhead favourite insists Nine in a Row was far from The Last Dance for Neil Lennon’s men.

Jullien was a key man as Celts ensured the Premiership trophy remained in Glasgow’s east end and he has been celebrating his side’s success as well as spending lockdown studying the other bunch of hoops heroes.

At 6ft 5ins, the Frenchman looks like he could do a turn on the basketball court but he has been a towering presence at the heart of the Celtic defence since his £7million arrival from Toulouse last summer.

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The season might have been cut short but it was still a slam dunk for Lennon’s men and Jullien insists the Bulls show will inspire him to more silverware next term.

He said: “I finished The Last Dance on Wednesday and it was amazing. One of the best ever.

“As a sportsman I take a lot of inspiration from it and learn so much. You see Jordan’s talent, how he plays the games, his focus and the way he brings all his team-mates with him.

“I love basketball and I also have the Kobe Bryant book in my house right now – the Mamba Mentality. It goes through his life and how he plays the game. Phil Jackson, the Bulls’ coach in Last Dance, features in it too.

“He also coached Bryant and says there are a lot of similarities between them. You can’t watch and read about world-class athletes like that without thinking about how you can improve
your game.

“They are the basketball GOATs and if you can even take a little bit from their stories, it will help you.

“The sports are different but the mentality at Celtic has to be the same. We need to be ruthless.

“On the field you almost have to be someone else. That’s how important mentality is.”

Jullien could sense Celtic had the Bulls spirit the second he walked in the door at Parkhead.

The former France Under-20 star could tell something special was brewing but he’s convinced their story won’t end the same as Jordan’s crew.

It was the basketball legend’s final campaign as his side were broken up after securing their sixth NBA title.

But there is no chance Celts will be split before their quest for 10 in a row.

Jullien said: “When I arrived at Celtic I could see straight away all the players had that winning mentality. I remember when I first signed for Celtic I was amazed at the mental strength of the players.

“I spoke to Callum (McGregor) and guys like that and asked, ‘How can you stay at this level of success for so long?’

“To become champions is hard but to stay champions is even harder. Your opponents come stronger and stronger and you need to increase your own levels.

“What Celtic have done for the last nine years is incredible. I don’t think the season just finished will be our Last Dance at Celtic.

“We are all determined to come back stronger and throw everything at winning the league again. We will keep doing that every season and teams are going to have to go hard to stop us.

“We have won trophies since then and now I can’t wait for next year. I definitely think we have the quality and mentality to win 10 in a row.”

Jullien reckons Chicago coach Jackson was one of the best in the business but can see parallels with Parkhead gaffer Lennon.

A few years ago it might have been more like a Raging Bull than a Chicago one but a mellow Lenny has calmly steered his side into the history books.

Jullien reckons he owes his boss as well after putting his faith in the stopper last summer.

He said: “I need to thank the gaffer so much for the belief he showed in me. When he came to see me in France last summer he spoke to me about his plans.

“He told me he wanted me to be a big part of his team and how important this season was.

“I wasn’t fit to begin with but when I got in the team I felt I got stronger and stronger.

“The love he gave to me and the encouragement he gave really made me comfortable on the field. He is a winner too. When you look at the trophies he won as a player and manager, it is unbelievable.

“I owe so much to the gaffer for giving me this chance at Celtic last summer.

“He is one of the best coaches I have ever worked with and has been huge for me.”