Julian Araujo’s Celtic form has been recognised by Mexico manager Javier Aguirre.
It’s been nine months since Araujo appeared for his country, in a CONCACAF Gold Cup tie against Luis Palma’s Honduras.
Given that they are automatically qualified for the tournament as co-hosts, Mexico have had no World Cup qualifiers to contend with, instead playing six international friendlies in the full-back’s absence.
Aguirre namechecked Araujo and revealed talks with the Celtic defender this week.
When Alistair Johnston returns to fitness, would you pick him over Julian Araujo?
Mexico boss Javier Aguirre on Celtic’s Julian Araujo
Aguirre said: “It’s true that I also spoke with Julian Araujo, who is currently doing well in Scotland.
“Right back is a position where I have many options.
READ MORE: Liam Scales says he was Celtic’s fifth penalty-taker vs Rangers, informed late of captaincy
“We have Rodrigo Huescas at FC Copenhagen too and I want to see our players in Europe in the future.”
Araujo represented the United States at every youth level, winning the U-20 CONCACAF Championship against Mexico in 2018.
Named in the US’ preliminary longlist for the Gold Cup before missing the final squad in 2021, he switched allegiances to Mexico just months later.
He has since picked up 16 caps for the country where both of his parents were born, but was left out of the 2022 World Cup squad by Tata Martino.
Regardless, he completed a move to Barcelona that winter, but never made a senior appearance for the Catalan giants, instead spending time on loan at Las Palmas.
He then joined Bournemouth for £9 million, making the move to Glasgow after a lack of game time in the Premier League.
You have been given £10m to sign one player for Celtic in the summer transfer window…
Which player are you spending that money on?
Julian Araujo’s Celtic career so far
Araujo was the only winter signing made by Celtic under the watch of Wilfried Nancy and Paul Tisdale – the pair were sacked less than a week after the deal was completed.
After Martin O’Neill re-entered the fray, the 24-year-old immediately came into the starting lineup, staying there for all-but-one domestic games since.
Araujo has done a stellar job of deputising for the injured Alistair Johnston, not only as a right-back but also as a fan-favourite.
His last-gasp winner at Kilmarnock was a crucial moment in making Celtic feel like his home – the clamour for the loan to be made permanent is already beginning.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
