Araujo’s Late Goal Propels Celtic in Title Race, Future Remains Open
Celtic secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Kilmarnock on Saturday, February 16, 2026, thanks to a stoppage-time winner from on-loan winger Julian Araujo. The result moves the Hoops to within three points of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts, intensifying the title race.
From Struggles to Success
Celtic found themselves trailing 2-0 at halftime at Rugby Park, but a spirited second-half comeback, culminating in Araujo’s 90th-minute goal, snatched the win. Araujo candidly admitted the team’s first-half performance was well below par. “Oh, we were s**t. We knew we were s**t. We knew we played bad. We knew it wasn’t us,” he stated.
Turning Point at Halftime
The interval proved pivotal, with the team resolving to turn things around. “We knew that the second half we had to turn it around, it was do or die. We had to retain going. We believed in ourselves,” Araujo explained. “And I think, 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, we got the three points.”
Building Momentum
Araujo believes the team is gaining momentum as the season progresses. “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.”
He added, “We had to switch it the second half, we knew we had to deliver 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 sizeable things.”
Future at Celtic Uncertain
Araujo, currently on loan from Bournemouth, remained coy about his long-term future. “Football is crazy. You understand, 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.”
When asked directly about a permanent move, he stated, “Whatever football brings me, God is in control of my plans. So I’ll follow his lead.”