fans furious as SFA issue official statement after Julián Araujo extra minutes goal celebration goes viral
The Moment Araujo Laughs at Ref After Last-Gasp Winner
An image from Rugby Park is already doing the rounds among Celtic supporters, capturing a moment that perfectly sums up the emotion of the afternoon.
Julián Araujo, still breathless from his 97th-minute winner, stands grinning at the referee as the yellow card is brandished for leaving the field of play during his celebration. The Mexican international can barely contain his laughter. Around him, the away end is still in uproar.
It is the sort of snapshot that tells the whole story without needing a caption
Araujo had just forced home a goal that completed a stunning comeback and sent the travelling support into delirium. Instinct took over. He sprinted toward the stand, vaulted the hoardings and disappeared into a sea of green and white as fans surged forward to embrace the moment.
By the time he returned to the pitch, the booking was inevitable.
The photograph shows a player caught between adrenaline and disbelief, smiling as if the caution is the smallest price imaginable for a moment that will live with him forever.
Football often speaks about discipline, control and professionalism. Yet days like this remind everyone that the sport is built on raw emotion. Players are not immune to the surge of feeling that pours from the stands. Sometimes they are swept up in it.
In the cold light of the rulebook, the yellow card is correct. Leaving the field of play to celebrate is an offence.
In the heat of a 97th-minute winner that keeps a title chase alive, common sense feels secondary.
Supporters will remember the goal. They will remember the limbs in the away end. And they will remember the image of Araujo laughing as the card is shown, a man entirely unbothered by the consequences.
As cautions go, he will take that one every time.
Julian Araujo hears Celtic interview hijacked by Neil McCann fury as Sky catches dressing room explosion
The Kilmarnock boss unleashed on his players after losing after Araujo’s last-gasp winner
It left Celtic with a mountain to climb in the second half, but goals from Sebastian Tounekti, Benjamin Nygren and Bournemouth loanee Araujo in the 97th minute saw the Glasgow giants leave Rugby Park with a crucial three points. And McCann was clearly left infuriated by his side after the full-time whistle.
As he spoke, shouting coming from the home dressing room was picked up by the microphones. Araujo continued: “I am grateful for moments like this…”
The Celtic man would then look over his shoulder – appearing to recognise the explosive comments being directed at the Killie players. He went on: ‘I am grateful for my teammates because they welcomed me with open arms and thanks to them we are where we are now.”
The right-back smirked before the interview continued and the background noise faded. At full-time, McCann conceded he was irked – but vented his rage at the match officials.
He said: “I’m angry, of course I am. I’m so disappointed because I truly believe that we deserved something from the game.
“I’m not quite sure where they get seven minutes from. They seem to just make that up these days. But, nonetheless, we still have to manage that and that’s what I’m most angry about.
“I’d have been disappointed coming off with a point, to be honest. But the anger comes from not seeing that out and getting at least a point.”
