The matchwinner in Ayrshire believes his team’s fightback fuels belief as they turne dup the heat on Hearts

16:00, 16 Feb 2026Updated 19:29, 16 Feb 2026

Celtic’s Julian Araujo celebrates scoring to make it 3-2

Julian Araujo reckons the stunning surge from s**t to sizzling proves humble Celtic can do big things in a special season finale.

And the Hoops hero admits “anything can happen” as he left the door open on a long-term Parkhead switch beyond his current loan deal from Bournemouth. Araujo’s stunning injury-time winner at Kilmarnock moved the champions to within three points of leaders Hearts in an epic title fight.

Martin O’Neill’s team were on the canvas at Rugby Park trailing 2-0 at half-time before the staggering fightback which clinched another priceless late triumph. Araujo outlined the mood of the group at the interval as he said: “Oh, we were s**t. We knew we were s**t. We knew we played bad. We knew it wasn’t us.

“We knew that the second half we had to turn it around, it was do or die. We had to keep going. We believed in ourselves. And I think, ultimately, as soon as we went out the second half, we knew that if we got a goal, we were in the game. We knew as soon as we got the first goal that things could change, so we maintained with our principles, we stayed humble and we believed in ourselves and, ultimately, we got the three points.”

Celtic’s late show sparked wild scenes of celebration and, asked if he could sense something special building, the Mexico international added: “We just take it game by game, obviously, we don’t try to look too far ahead of ourselves.

“Our main focus was the match [at Kilmarnock] and getting the three points and obviously it took a full 90 minutes to do that, but that’s how long, that’s what a football match is, we’ve got to believe from the minute one to 90 and we stuck to our principles, we knew what we had to do.

Celtic’s Julian Araujo celebrates scoring to make it 3-2 with fans

“We had to switch it the second half, we knew we had to give an extra go and another level and we were able to do that. But I’m confident that this group of players, we believe in ourselves and if we continue to have the confidence that we do, we can do big things.”

Araujo, meanwhile, left the doors open when quizzed about his long-term future having signed on a deal until the end of the season from the English Premier League outfit.

He said: “Football is crazy. You know, anything can happen. Right now I have a contract with Bournemouth, but I’m on loan here for the first six months and I’m happy. I’m enjoying every moment. I’m grateful for this opportunity and you never know, anything can happen. I mean, you just never know. I let my agent take care of the negotiations and whatever behind the scenes. I just focus on my game and try to give my best for this crest.”

Asked if he was open to a permanent move, he replied: “Whatever football brings me, God is in control of my plans. So I’ll follow his lead.”