Julian Araujo was in a rare category at Celtic during the recently concluded season, and that’s being a successful signing.
It didn’t end in the way the right-back would have wanted because his season came to a stop due to injury in March, following Celtic’s epic penalty shootout win over Rangers in the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.
Araujo was a menace on that day, just like he was for the few months he spent in Glasgow following his loan spell from Bournemouth.
While Celtic supporters only saw what Araujo did on the field of play and on social media, Jonny Hayes got to see what he was like behind the scenes.
Given that there is talk that Hayes could be a part of Robbie Keane’s coaching staff if he is to become Celtic’s next manager, then he could prove to be a big ally of Araujo’s.
That’s because in March, Hayes was purring over the ‘charisma’ and feel-good factor the all-action fullback brings to day-to-day training.
Should Celtic sign Julian Araujo permanently this summer?
Could Jonny Hayes push Celtic to re-sign Julian Araujo?
You suspect that people like Hayes will have an input on the type of signings Celtic make this summer, even if he wouldn’t have the final say.
When and if the discussion turns to the right-back spot, you just wonder if Araujo’s name will come up.
Celtic have Alistair Johnston as the main man, and Colby Donovan and Anthony Ralston as the back-ups, but it could be argued that the Mexican star is better than two of them.
Either way, before Araujo’s injury, Hayes couldn’t speak highly enough of the player on Sky Sports, which is worth noting if he does become part of Keane’s coaching staff for next season.
“I think it influences the whole building (when you are chasing a title), in terms of the training environment and the matchday environment,” said Hayes in March.
“You can see that the fans feed off him as well. I see him day in and day out. The way he is, of course, professional on the football pitch, but in and around the gym, he is excitable, and he brings a bit of charisma to the training.
“You saw on Sunday (at Ibrox) as well, the reaction after the game as well. He obviously is quite passionate about football, and he’s taken the club to heart quite quickly.”
The case for Celtic to sign Araujo…
Johnston, Araujo, Kieran Tierney and Marcelo Saracchi as your fullbacks for next season has a really good feel to it.
There isn’t anybody in Scotland who can match that quality and depth in quality.
Add in the fact that Araujo produced several strong performances, not forgetting his winning goal away at Kilmarnock, as well as helping Celtic along the way in the Scottish Cup.
Then, as Hayes mentioned, the player’s character around the place is so infectious.
That’s going to be needed next season, because, for large parts of the recent campaign, there was too much doom and gloom.
It’s not like Araujo harms Celtic’s chances of winning trophies next season; he aids it and helps it, and that’s the main thing when you play for this club.
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