WHY £7m NEW BHOY WILL MISS FLAG DAY

CHRISTOPHER JULLIEN, the most expensive defender in Celtic’s history, will miss Saturday’s Premiership kick-off against St Johnstone at Parkhead on Saturday.

The £7million purchase from French side Toulouse will be BANNED from the Flag Day opener as the Hoops set in motion their bid for nine-in-a-row.

The centre-half, who played 57 minutes of the goalless draw against Rennes just over a fortnight ago, picked up eight bookings in Ligue 1 last season and the French suspension has followed him to Scotland.

Jullien, who is likely to make his competitive debut for the Hoops on Tuesday as Neil Lennon’s men take a five-goal advantage to Estonia for the Champions League qualifying second round return against Nomme Kalju, will join fell-central defender Jozo Simunovic in the stand when the Perth Saints visit at the weekend.

The Croatian was hit by a two-game ban after his VAR-assisted red card in the scoreless stalemate against St Gallen in the pre-season friendly in Switzerland.

Simunovic will all miss the match against Motherwell at Fir Park a week later, but his French partner will be available for that one.

Lennon, speaking to the Sunday Mail, explained: “Jullien can’t play the first game of the season neither can Jozo Simunovic through suspension.

“Some new signings aren’t quite in the right condition for the start, but that’s fine. We have ample cover.

“We’ll make changes on Tuesday night. I’d like to give some players a rest and Jullien will probably play.”

Kristoffer Ajer could return to his more usual place in the middle of the rearguard against Tommy Wright’s side which could give £1.6million Israeli right-back Hatem Abd Elhamed the opportunity to make his debut in the No.2 position and take a bow in front of a sell-out crowd.