CELTIC new Bhoy Julián Araujo is poised for a quickfire debut after sealing his short-term loan deal from Bournemouth today.
The California-born 16 times-capped Mexico international right-back could get the nod from Wilfried Nancy to take his bow in the derby encounter at Parkhead tomorrow afternoon.
With Anthony Ralston and Colby Donovan struggling to cope with the manager’s favoured system, Araujo has the opportunity to go straight in against Danny Rohl’s Ibrox team.
The 24-year-old defender kicked off his career in the MLS with LA Galaxy before joining Barcelona in February 2023. He then had a temporary switch to Las Palmas before joining the Premier League club in August 2024.
After completing the signing formalities, Araujo said: “I am really happy to join Celtic. This is a top club and I can’t wait to get going and work hard with the other players to bring our fans success.
“I know the demands at a club like Celtic and I am ready for these. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and I want to play my part in bringing good times and good, winning football to our supporters.
“I have met the boys already. We have some great players in the squad and we are all ready to tackle the second half of the season.”
Nancy, speaking to the Celtic website, added: “We are delighted to bring Julián to Celtic.
“He is a really talented player with a good level of experience and we think the qualities he will bring will be really beneficial to the squad.”
Celtic will be hoping the dreaded spectre of a hamstring injury doesn’t strike Araujo in his time at the club.
The champions have a host of players sidelined with the problem such as Alistair Johnston, Marcelo Saraachi, Filipe Jota and young striker Callum Osmand while Cameron Carter-Vickers has been hit by an Achilles tendon injury.
Araujo had surgery on a injury to his left hamstring in November 2024 after just eight appearances in the top flight.
He had not made a solitary league appearance this season before getting the go-ahead to switch to the Hoops.
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