KILMARNOCK (Azat TV) – Celtic staged a dramatic comeback from a two-goal deficit to defeat Kilmarnock 3-2 at Rugby Park on Sunday, February 15, 2026, with Julian Araujo netting a last-gasp winner deep into stoppage time. The sensational victory, secured in the final seconds of the Scottish Premiership clash, keeps the champions firmly in contention for the title after a match filled with twists and turns.
The visitors found themselves in a perilous position at halftime, trailing Kilmarnock by two goals. Neil McCann’s resurgent Kilmarnock side started with intensity, with Tyreece John-Jules opening the scoring with a stunning curled effort. Joe Hugill then doubled Killie’s lead with a looping header that managed to lob Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, sending the home crowd into raptures and leaving Celtic’s title hopes hanging by a thread.
Martin O’Neill’s Halftime Changes Spark Celtic’s Resurgence
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, marking his 300th game in charge of the club, made decisive changes at the break, introducing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tomas Cvancara, and Sebastian Tounekti. These substitutions immediately injected new life into Celtic’s attack, signaling a clear intent to turn the tide.
The impact was almost instantaneous in the second half. Sebastian Tounekti pulled one back for Celtic with a spectacular curling shot from 25 yards, breathing new life into the contest. Minutes later, Benjamin Nygren capitalized on a scramble in the Kilmarnock box following a long throw, firing home from close range to level the score at 2-2. The equalizer ignited the away end, setting the stage for a tense finish.
Julian Araujo’s Late Heroics Secure Kilmarnock Victory
With seven minutes of stoppage time announced, the match became a frantic end-to-end battle. Kilmarnock defended resolutely, enduring sustained pressure from Celtic, who pushed relentlessly for a winning goal. As the clock ticked down, it was Julian Araujo, the Mexican right-back, who emerged as the hero. In the dying seconds, he arrived at the back post to hammer in a close-range winner, sparking utter bedlam among the traveling support and securing an improbable comeback for Celtic. The Daily Record described the scene as the away end ‘spilling onto the pitch area’ in celebration.
Despite the elation, Celtic also faced challenges. Early in the game, Brad Lyons’ penalty shout for Kilmarnock was waved away, and later, Tyreece John-Jules, after scoring his initial goal, was forced off with an injury, a blow for the home side. For Celtic, midfielder Arne Engels was confirmed to be out until April due to an injury sustained previously, highlighting the squad depth challenges O’Neill’s team is navigating.
This dramatic victory against Kilmarnock, snatched from the jaws of defeat, serves as a significant psychological boost for Celtic, demonstrating their resilience and championship pedigree in a fiercely contested Scottish Premiership title race.