KILMARNOCK, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Celtic's Julian Araujo celebrates scoring to make it 3-2 during a William Hill Premiership match between Kilmarnock and Celtic at BBSP Stadium Rugby Park, on February 15, 2026, in Kilmarnock, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Julian Araujo has revealed that he was left breathless by Celtic’s win over Kilmarnock.
The on-loan defender provided one of the most memorable moments of the season when he popped up with the 97th minute winner at Rugby Park.
Those facts don’t begin to cover the full drama of the moment.
Trailing 2-0 at half time Celtic’s title hopes were hanging by a thread. It looked bleak but the away fans never gave up.
Three half time substitutions indicated Martin O’Neill’s feelings on the situation.
Substitute Sebastian Tounekti fired in a stunning goal to bring Celtic back into the match. On another day that strike would have been the main talking point in the match.
Araujo’s dramatic goal meant that Tounekti’s strike has been side-lined.
THE ARAUJO FACTOR
Everything about the 97th minute goal was special. The build up, the run, the shot and of course the celebration.
The whole scene has gone viral. From South America and beyond the goal and the scenes have been replayed and shared.
Reflecting on all that the Sun reports Araujo saying:
It was crazy. My heart was still going and it was like I couldn’t breathe for so long after the end of the game.
Playing for Celtic is nuts. You can see why. You can see the pitch was filled with fans and I’ve never seen that in my life.
It was a beautiful feeling. I’ve never felt anything like that. I lost myself. I just went with whatever. I just kept it going, kept the flow going.
The goal is probably number one for me because the fans are crazy. I didn’t even know what I was doing when I went to celebrate with them.
I just lost myself and I saw so many people. Everybody was giving me kisses. I don’t even know what the hell happened. It was crazy. One of the craziest moments of my life.
I was told before coming here I wouldn’t realise what Celtic was and how big Celtic was until I was here.
Now I know what it means to them and what it is so I’m excited to be a part of their journey and I’ll keep doing my best to give them what they deserve.
They were the extra man at Kilmarnock. Without them we wouldn’t have got the three points.
How do they compare to the fans in Mexico? I think they’re just different crazy there.
I’ve never had a moment like that and it’s something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life. It’s something I’ll carry with me and I’ll be grateful for.
There is little rest now for Araujo and his team-mates.
Stuttgart visit on Thursday night with the Europa League ties slotted in around vital SPFL matches at home to Hibs followed by trips to Ibrox and Pittodrie.
Araujo’s reaction is similar to the feelings of most Celtic fans. Those that were inside Rugby Park and watching on television.
Three stoppage time goals in the last three matches has tested the nerve of the Celtic support but the title challenge remains alive.
Araujo has brought a fresh dimension to the Celtic side, a lively, passionate character to give the place a lift.
If he continues his form of recent weeks it might just be enough to tip the honours Celtic’s way.
A repeat of those Rugby Park celebrations would be very welcome.
EVERYTHING about the end of that match was just classic, fairytale Celtic. There’s nothing on earth like it and I see Julian has now become a part of it. I was all for forgetting about the SC and Europe to concentrate on the Title but Celtic is never scripted and maybe that’s the sheer magic of our club. Short term, FFS let the GB back in and see where the rest of the season takes us. I make no predictions, I’ll just ‘batten down the hatches’ and try to enjoy the ride!
Hail! Hail! COYBIG!
PS The poetic justice of McCann’s face was delicious and his moaning about 7 minutes (shoulda been 11, thanks for that B4L on other thread) was music to my ears. Their ‘keeper was time-wasting throughout as were a few of his team-mates. I was half-expecting that ‘keeper to start polishing his boots as he fucked about at every turn. Oh, the beautiful irony of that last-gasp winner!
Kasper needs to be dropped immediately.
He is simply playing on the name and past glories now.
His mobility is shocking and he cannot possibly inspire confidence in those in front of him.
He’s gave us good service but he cannot be allowed to continue.