JULLIEN LAUGHS OFF GERRARD CLAIMS

CHRISTOPHER JULLIEN has scoffed at reports he should have been red-carded against Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side at Parkhead last month.

Steven Gerrard insisted the Celtic centre-back was fortunate not to be dismissed for a challenge on controversial Colombian hitman Alfredo Morelos, who, of course, was sent off in stoppage-time.

Jullien insisted the Ibrox hothead, who has been banished SEVEN times inside two years, had actually fouled him.

Gerrard thought the £7million Frenchman, the Hoops’ matchwinner in the Betfred League Cup Final earlier in the month, should have been in trouble with referee Kevin Clancy for what he deemed a foul on his player.

Jullien, speaking to the Evening Times, said: “I have to admit that after that game I tried to erase it fast in my head. I don’t remember exactly what incident he (Gerrard) is talking about.

“I remember one where I put my body in front of him and he pushed me. For me, it’s a foul for me. At the end of the day, he was a winner, but in that case it was a foul for me.”

Morelos has scored 28 goals for the Ibrox outfit in this campaign, but he has failed to net in 12 appearances against the Parkhead men, which includes a missed penalty-kick at Hampden in the Cup Final when Fraser Forster dived superbly to beat away his effort from 12 yards.

Jullien admitted he had enjoyed his personal duel with ‘El Buffalo’ and added: “There was a big battle in the last game and will be in all the games we play this year. You try to defend the best you can and if you can make a difference on the field it’s a bonus.’

“Every game you have a battle on the field one against one. My goal when I start every game is to win my individual battle. I am still looking and working hard. I think it’s important for progression.

“I am not a guy who is going to think about it too much after the game as a player. I enjoy it in the moment, I like a good battle. If I am losing, I am going to learn something from it, if I’m winning, I’m just going to keep working for it. I’m just a good competitor and that’s it.”