adminKris Boyd gets it all wrong about Julian Araujo’s Celtic status when Alistair Johnston
Celtic supporters are quickly falling for Julian Araujo. The energy, intensity, and aggression he has brought to the squad have made him an instant fan favourite.
While Alistair Johnston remains a beloved figure at the club, Kris Boyd’s claim that the Canadian full-back “starts all day long” once he returns from injury might not be as clear-cut as the former Rangers striker suggests.
After Celtic’s recent win at Aberdeen, Boyd praised both Araujo and Johnston, but insisting that Araujo will automatically reclaim his starting spot is premature.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Boyd said:
“You saw the scenes when Celtic scored that late winner at Rugby Park. There’s no doubt the fans have really taken to him. He’s the kind of player who can frustrate the opposition, and the home crowd loves that.”
Boyd continued:
“This season, he’s added something different to Celtic’s performances. They haven’t had the same edge they had last season, but he’s brought that spark in the past few weeks. And it’s not just about football — the fans are buying into him, he’s getting them out of their seats.
“Over the weekend, he irritated a few Rangers players, and yes, it may have spilled over at the end, but from Celtic’s perspective, that’s fine — he’s disturbing the opposition. He’s had a solid impact since arriving.”
However, Boyd added a note of caution regarding Johnston:
“If you ask the same question I asked Chris [Sutton], Alistair Johnston plays all day long. He’s a proper athlete, an outstanding full-back. Celtic will be desperate to have him back, and he’s destined for a big move if he ever leaves.”
Both players clearly have the support of the fans. Johnston and Araujo bring aggression, heart, and commitment — qualities that will be vital as Celtic chase the title.
Yet Araujo is proving he is more than just a nuisance for opponents. Fotmob stats show that, despite fewer first-team minutes, he outperforms Johnston in five key metrics and is a potent attacking threat on the overlap.
He is becoming a genuine contender for the right-back spot, not merely a backup.
While Boyd may be mistaken about Johnston’s guaranteed starting place, Celtic fans can celebrate having two high-quality right-backs to rely on as the title race heats up against Hearts and Rangers.
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