CHRISTOPHER JULLIEN has a 'good chance' or returning to competitive action for Celtic against Alloa today, according to manager Ange Postecoglou.

The defender has been out for over a year after picking up a horror knee injury in a win over Dundee United in December 2020, but has been in full training for some time as he works his way back to fitness.

Tonight's Scottish Cup tie may present an opportunity to phase him back into the Celtic team, though Postecolgou is wary of the artificial surface at the Indodrill Stadium.

"Chris has trained and is available for the match," Postecoglou said.

"I haven't made a decision on the starting line-up yet but there is a good chance he will be involved.

"Of course the pitch is a factor that we have to think about. But in terms of Chris himself, he's been training well since the restart and doing everything with the team.

"He is obviously not ready to play 90 minutes at the level he wants to, more than anything else, but he will get in over the next few weeks.

"There is a good chance he will be involved against Alloa."

There will be several changes to the Celtic line-up from the win over Hibernian on Monday night, but Celtic fans will have to wait a little longer to see new signing Matt O'Riley.

"Matt isn't eligible to face Alloa as we are just waiting on all the clearance to come through," Postecoglou added.

"We will make some changes as part of my process was to build a strong squad. Having that means I have to give certain players some more game-time.

"With the games coming thick and fast I want to be able to rotate players without affecting the performance levels. The only way that will happen is if guys get consistent game-time.

"There is no point having a strong squad if guys don't play for three or four weeks, and then need to be thrown in.

"We will make changes but we will have a good team out there ready to do the business.

"I would never underestimate any team. That's the beauty of cup competitions. Everyone wants to avoid that upset and I have no doubt in this round there will be at least one or two.

"We have to make sure we are on it against Alloa and prepare the same way as we do against any side.

"Our training has been strong since the Hibs game and there will be guys getting the chance to show what they can do.

"If they get in, they won't want to lose that spot so that's the environment we want to create here.

"We can't afford to take it easy and we certainly won't, not while I am here."