The loanee full back made his first Hoops start in the 4-0 win over Dundee United on Saturday
Martin O’Neill and Julian Araujo(Image: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock)
Julian Araujo reckons “legend” Martin O’Neill reminds him of his international manager – Mexico icon Javier Aguirre.
The right back was thrown in for a full Celtic debut by O’Neill in Saturday’s 4-0 thumping of Dundee United and just five days after the man who brought him to Scotland – Wilfried Nancy – was sacked.
Araujo admits it’s been a “crazy” week. But the on-loan Bournemouth man says the confidence instilled in every player by O’Neill helped the Hoops overcome the turmoil and smooth the path to the demolition of United.
The former LA Galaxy, Barcelona and LAS Palmas full back said: “I was aware he’s a legend at the club, I knew for sure what he means to this club. I think he’s very similar to what my national team manager’s like. He’s very simple to the basics.
“But everybody knows he gives you that confidence, he puts you under a lot of pressure because he knows what your capabilities are. So, I think he is good for the club.
“The players know him more than I do. I’ve only been with him a couple of days. But from what I’ve seen and what I know, he’s a good manager and a good gaffer. I think it’s just giving the players that confidence.
“We all knew the situation we were in. It was just getting past that. We’ve got to take one game at a time and situations like today there were going to be moments when they would have the ball.
“But it was just maintaining that confidence we have, playing the playing style we like and when we lose getting it back really fast to then get it back in the attacking third. Try to build very quick. Everybody on the same page.”
Araujo was given a 60 minute run out as Celtic got back to winning ways. And he hopes the loan spell can give his career a kickstart after spending the first half of there season kicking his heels on the Bournemouth bench.
Celtic’s Julian Araujo in action (Image: SNS Group)
He said: “Yes it definitely can. I’m very thankful to this organisation for giving me the opportunity.
“They brought me here for a reason, they know what I am capable of. They just gave me that confidence to go out there and play.
“I need to keep my feet on the ground and stay humble. Whether it’s me or someone else playing in my position then it’s competition – they’re here to make me better and I’m here to make them better.
“It’s not just about me it’s about making the group better. We want to keep winning games but it’s one step at a time.
“I’m happy I got the start and hopefully we can keep going forward.”