McGowan v Friel: Celtic ITK reporters deliver conflicting message

When it comes to delivering news from inside Celtic Stephen McGowan and David Friel are the most accurate in the business.

Both are former Celtic View reporters, building contacts high up inside the club delivering a reliable stream of news and information.

Generally it has been of an upbeat nature, since the start of 2026 the tone has changed.

Injury updates are a regular part of the reporters beat, especially this season at Celtic.

Julian Araujo was last seen at Ibrox on March 8. Since then his absence has grown more and more mysterious.

News that he was back at Bournemouth came from Ryan Christie.

After Celtic’s defeat at Dundee United on March 22 Martin O’Neill was vague on the injury to Araujo and when he will be available again.

Since then social media has been on the case, choose your rumour.

MIXED MESSAGES ON KEY CELTIC INJURY

Last week Araujo took to Instagram with an egg-timer. It seemed up-beat, positive, a return was on the cards.

And then McGowan appeared on Sunday afternoon. When he gives a Celtic update you can bank on it.

In The Celtic Way he reported:

CELTIC loan right-back Julian Araujo has been ruled for seven to eight weeks by injury.

The Mexico international returned to parent club Bournemouth for treatment to a thigh issue after missing the recent Premiership games against Motherwell and Dundee United.

The south coast club have now diagnosed a quad strain expected to rule the Mexican defender out until early May.

Seven or eight weeks takes you into mid/late May. The final SPFL fixtures will be played on May 17.

This morning in The Sun, Friel countered with:

CELTIC are still hopeful crock Julian Araujo will return for the title run-in.

The  Bournemouth  loanee missed games against  Motherwell  and  Dundee United  after suffering a thigh issue in training.

Araujo pulled out of the Mexico squad and  returned to England for treatment  on the injury over a week ago.

Celtic  were hopeful that Araujo would be back in time for the  Scottish Cup  semi against  St Mirren  on April 19.

That return date could be pushed back as the former  Barcelona  star is rehabbing down south.

Hoops chiefs expect more news soon, but hope Araujo will be able to feature in some post-split games and a potential Cup final on May 23.

Clearly conflicting views. Different dates. The speculation will continue. Season virtually over says McGowan, not so according to Friel.

Next stop is Friday and Martin O’Neill’s press conference. Araujo is likely to be the first topic of questioning.

The right-back position seems to be almost cursed for Celtic.

With Araujo out injured Colby Donovan started the matches against Motherwell and Dundee United.

When Donovan got injured Reo Hatate and Yang Hyun-jun played at right-back with Tony Ralston left on the bench.

Now it seems that Ralston will start away to Dundee with fans looking for updates on the return of Alistair Johnston.

Generally McGowan and Frail are the most accurate and trusted when it comes to Celtic matters. But on the issue of Araujo and his injury they are getting mixed messages.