Frank McAvennie has praised Julian Araujo after the defender was reportedly involved in heated scenes following Celtic’s dramatic draw with Rangers F.C. at Ibrox.
Celtic battled back late in the Glasgow derby, and emotions spilled over at full-time, with players clashing on the pitch. Even former manager Martin O’Neill was seen stepping in to calm things down.
According to McAvennie, tensions also carried into the tunnel area. Speaking on his podcast, he hinted at rumours of a scuffle and appeared amused by Araujo’s involvement after the Mexican right-back had earlier goaded Rangers players on the pitch. McAvennie jokingly referred to Araujo as “my boy,” clearly enjoying the defender’s combative edge in derby surroundings.
This marked Araujo’s second Old Firm appearance, and unlike his difficult debut in the fixture, he seemed far more at home in the fiery atmosphere. Since arriving on loan from Bournemouth in January, he has quickly grown in popularity among Celtic supporters, combining strong performances with visible passion in high-stakes matches.
While he may not have been faultless during the game itself, Araujo’s willingness to embrace the intensity of the rivalry has won admirers. McAvennie also laughed about O’Neill’s animated reaction at full-time, suggesting the 74-year-old looked eager to get involved before ultimately helping separate players.
With another derby clash looming in the Scottish Cup — where a winner must be decided — the drama may not be over. Araujo is expected to feature again, and with Celtic fans set to pack out the Broomloan Stand, the atmosphere promises to be just as charged.
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