Celtic loan star sent back to parent club as O’Neill reveals major worry

Robin Bairner

23 Mar 2026 12:57 GMT
4 min read

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has admitted that he does not know if Julian Araujo will play for the club again after picking up an injury problem that may have ended his season.

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The Hoops have been battered by physical problems all season, with regular right-back Alistair Johnston among those who have been on the list of long-term injured.

Araujo was signed as cover for the Canada international on loan from Bournemouth in January, but after missing the last couple of matches, the Mexico international has been sent back to the Premier League club with O’Neill confessing that there’s uncertainty over his fitness.

Compared

Alistair Johnston

D (R)

Celtic

Alistair Johnston

D (R)

Celtic

VS

Julián Araujo

D (R)

Celtic

Julián Araujo

D (R)

Celtic

€8.6M	ETV	€13.4M
€7.3M - €9.8M	ETV Range	€12M - €14.7M
27 years old (08 Oct, 1998)	Age	24 years old (13 Aug, 2001)
Canada	Nationality	Mexico

Celtic ‘fear’ several-week absence for Julian Araujo

Celtic failed to close the gap on Hearts at the top of the Premiership table on Sunday as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Dundee United.

Araujo was a concern before the game because of a thigh problem, with 19-year-old Colby Donovan starting at right-back in his place at Tannadice.

O’Neill is unsure when the 24-year-old might be back.

“Julian’s missing. He’s down getting treatment and being rehabbed at Bournemouth.

“I’m not sure when he’ll be back but the extra two weeks could help.”

According to the Daily Record, there are “fears” that Araujo could be absent for “several weeks”.

With the Premiership set to conclude on 16 May, the full-back faces a race against time to feature again.

O’Neill had previously played down the severity of the issue when talking to BBC Scotland ahead of the victory over Motherwell last week.

“He’s just felt a little bit in the thigh so, there’s no point in risking it. We’ll just leave him for today,” the veteran boss said.

Alistair Johnston injury update

Celtic have been boosted by the news that Alistair Johnston was deemed fit enough by Canada boss Jesse Marsch to be called up to the national team squad for the forthcoming friendlies against Iceland and Tunisia, but he’s not expected to play in either of the games.

The Hoops will hope the 27-year-old, who has been plagued by hamstring troubles this season, is available imminently, particularly with Araujo now set for a spell on the sidelines.

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