Martin O’Neill has said that Celtic’s Julian Araujo has returned to Bournemouth for treatment to his injury.
The defender was a notable absentee from Celtic’s defeat to Dundee United on Sunday, having not been seen in action since March eighth.
Araujo was omitted from Mexico’s squad for their upcoming international friendlies, raising further questions about the nature of his injury.
Interim Celtic boss O’Neill has now issued the worrying update.
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Martin O’Neill’s update on Celtic’s Julian Araujo
Asked about the Mexico defender, O’Neill 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.”
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On the performance itself, O’Neill 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.”
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This was Celtic’s eighth defeat of the season, their highest total of the era of 38-game seasons. Damning, damning stuff.
Both Reo Hatate and Yang Hyun-Jun spent time at full-back in the absence of Araujo and usual first-choice right-back, Alistair Johnston.
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