THE Hoops are hard at work at their mid-season training camp in Dubai this week, and Christopher Jullien is delighted to be back with his colleagues.

In previous years, the winter break has provided the Scottish champions with a springboard for the second half of the campaign, as they pursue more domestic silverware and progression in the UEFA Europa League.

With such a busy December schedule, the French centre-back appreciates the value of recovery at the camp, but likewise underscored the hard work each and every one of Neil Lennon’s players are undertaking over there.

“The vibe among the players has been great so far,” Jullien told the official Celtic website. “We’ve had some tough sessions already, and we’re using the camp to focus, to work on and to build on our biggest strength which is to play the attacking football that we love to play. For me, I’m happy to be back on the field, and to be working hard again with the team.

“We did a Multistage Fitness Test (beep test) today, and those types of exercises are really important for the team and for our goals. We have so many games throughout the season, we have to fit and have to be up for it.

“We have to be able to run a lot, keep pushing, passing, playing, attacking, that’s our game. In order to be prepared for the second half of the season, we have to work hard, and that’s what we’re going to keep focused on.”

The 26-year-old admitted the end-of-year run-in wasn’t without its challenges, but considers the break a chance to reset and refocus on personal and collective goals. With league, Scottish Cup and Europa League competition ahead, the Hoops have plenty to look forward to in 2020.

He added: “I do set my own personal goals, but my main focus is on winning the league this season. That’s everyone’s main target for the second half of the season. Winning the League Cup was a great feeling, but now we know that now, we’re still part of three competitions, which means we still have three competitions to win.

“I’d love to win everything ahead, for sure, but in order to have a chance of winning anything, we have to work hard. From here, that starts at this training camp. You can’t win any of these competitions if you don’t work hard enough. My main focus is help us win the league. If I tick off any personal goals between now and then, then that’s a bonus.”

Jullien: Mid-season training camp lets us work hard and refocus