INTERVIEW

Celtic star's four-word reaction to Kasper Schmeichel boos

Celtic right-back Julian Araujo. <i>(Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)</i>
Celtic right-back Julian Araujo. (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
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Julian Araujo has gone from one extreme to another with Celtic in the past six days.

The Mexican experienced the greatest moment of his career thus far at Rugby Park last weekend, before being brought firmly down to earth on Thursday evening by Stuttgart, who came away from Parkhead as 4-1 victors in the first leg of a Europa League knockout phase play-off tie.

"Obviously, it's not the result we wanted," Araujo said post-match. "I think we've got to do better. We didn't have any options in the first half. I think in the second half, we were a little bit better. Obviously, we know the four shots that they took they scored. We need to create more chances and score goals.

"If anything, it motivates us. You can't have a team come to Celtic Park and let them score four goals. So I think this motivates us and you know, we're focused on the game in the league.

"Now, obviously, we have to turn it around, switch off and recover because, you know, this is a quick turnaround and we play on Sunday. We've got to do whatever we have to do to make sure that our bodies are 100 per cent. We all want to win and obviously today didn't go the way we wanted it to go. So obviously everybody's mad.

"But like I said, you know, we've got to switch it off, I think today, once we're getting home, we know we try to get over it and focus on Sunday.

"Football can change in a matter of seconds. I think you know, obviously it's not a result that we wanted. So we gotta flip it around."


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Celtic were far from their best against Stuttgart midweek. The Germans looked a level above, but goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel could doubtless have saved their first and third goals of the evening.

Sections of the home support audibly began to boo the veteran goalkeeper after his errors, and even sarcastically cheered when he did make a save at one juncture.

"I can't control anybody," Araujo said of the feeling towards the number one.

The Stuttgart tie was viewed by some as a welcome distraction, allowing Celtic to forget the pressures of the William Hill Premiership title race and play with the shackles off. That domestic grind returns this weekend, as Martin O'Neill's side host Hibernian in the league.

"This is the beauty of football," Araujo continued. "You know, we've got to turn it around. It's do or die. We've got to continue to perform our best. And focus, because it's a quick turnaround.

"We have a tough couple of weeks coming up, so we have to mentally stay focused and keep confidence in ourselves, and I think we can do it. I mean, this is football, you know, you don't always win every game. You've got to turn it around quickly. Obviously, we know this was a Europa League game, and obviously, right now our focus is on the league.

"I think all of us have been very strong [in the league]. I think, you know, whether we're scoring in the 90th minute or winning it early on. We're still all doing very well. Football is a game of 90 plus minutes, so we've just got to stay focused."

Julian Araujo in action for Celtic against Stuttgart. (Image: Stuart Wallace / Shutterstock)

The current Premiership title race is one of the tightest in years. Just three points separate the top three teams, with Celtic, who currently occupy third place, holding a game in hand on both Rangers and Hearts.

"It's beautiful," Araujo said of the current battle for the league championship. "This is the beauty of being a footballer. You know, I'm grateful to be a part of it, it gets the adrenaline going. Stay focused, stay humble, and you know, enjoy it all.

"I've never been involved [in anything as tense] but I'm but I'm enjoying the ride. I enjoy every day. I'm doing what I love to do, and with Celtic, and I think we all believe in ourselves and know we can do it."

Several Celtic supporters and players alike have said that winning this title would be the sweetest in years. Araujo takes a similar viewpoint.

"I mean, it would be crazy," he admitted. "I think, you know, we have to win every game from now until the end of the season. We can do some good things this year."

Against Hibs on Sunday, for the sake of everyone's blood pressure, Celtic won't want to leave it as late as they did against Kilmarnock last weekend.

As well as completing a dramatic second-half turnaround, Araujo's 97th-minute strike sparked unforgettable scenes as he made a beeline for the jubilant away end.

"I think the goal went viral," said the right-back. "So I think it was a crazy celebration. I've never experienced anything like that. But now that the game is over, you know, I thought I'd try to turn it around on Thursday. And obviously it didn't go the way we wanted it to go. So now we have to focus on Hibs."

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