No Araujo, Hatate and Yang at right-back, Ralston unused sub

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The Celtic Star

·23 March 2026

No Araujo, Hatate and Yang at right-back, Ralston unused sub

Martin O’Neill has confirmed that Celtic full-back Julian Araujo has travelled back to Bournemouth to continue his rehab from injury…

Julian Araujo at Ibrox. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

The Mexican international was missing from the squad during Celtic’s 2-0 damaging 2-0 defeat to Dundee United on Sunday, and has not featured since the Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox.

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Further concern arose after Araujo was left out of Mexico’s squad for their forthcoming friendly matches, casting doubt over his current fitness.

Julian Araujo celebrates at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 3. Scottish Premiership. Sunday 15 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

O’Neill addressed the situation and provided an update on Araujo post-match. Speaking via PLZ Soccer, he said: “He’s missing, he’s down and he’s getting treatment and being rehabbed at his football club at Bournemouth.

“I’m not sure [if he’ll be available after the international break]. I’m not sure, but the extra two weeks could help.”

On Celtic’s EIGHTH league defeat of the season, the Hoops boss said: “Obviously, very, very disappointing. Disappointing result, disappointing performance, second half particularly. I thought in the first half we had possession, didn’t really do enough with it, obviously.

“For little periods we camped outside their penalty area. They defended in numbers, which is to their credit. And so the first goal was going to be vital in the game. Second half just got away from us completely.

“So at half-time we still felt, you know, if we could break through, that we could go on to win the game. As I’ve just mentioned there, the first goal is really absolutely vital. They got it. And eventually, they deserve to win.”

As outlined, Celtic slumped to their eighth league loss of the campaign, marking the Hoops’ worst return since the introduction of the 38-match format in the mid 1990s.

Anthony Ralston and Callum McGregor at TannadiceDundee Utd v Celtic. Sunday 22 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

With Julian Araujo unavailable and Alistair Johnston still missing, both Reo Hatate and Yang Hyun-Jun were deployed in unfamiliar full-back roles during the match, while a Scotland international right-back was left sitting on the bench. What Tony Ralston made of that is anyone’s guess.

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