Parkhead should have been a place of relief and quiet satisfaction. Another win, another step forward, another box ticked in a season where nothing has come easy for Celtic.
On the surface, that is exactly what happened. The Bhoys edged past St Mirren in a tight, tense contest that demanded patience rather than sparkle. It was the kind of victory that keeps title hopes alive without fully settling the nerves.
But as the final whistle faded and supporters began to drift out of Celtic Park, the mood around the club started to shift in a way nobody expected.
Because what should have been a straightforward post match discussion about three points was quickly swallowed by something far more painful.
AGONY for Celtic after sudden post match blow
The win itself mattered. Celtic needed it. Every point counts at this stage of the season, and the pressure at the top end of the table does not allow room for slip ups. St Mirren made life uncomfortable at times, but Celtic did enough to get over the line.
Yet football has a habit of reminding supporters that momentum can be fragile.
Shortly after the victory, news began to circulate that one of Celtic’s most talked about recent figures, Julian Araujo, is now set to leave the club following an official confirmation that his time at Parkhead is coming to an end.
It is a development that lands heavily, especially given how quickly he managed to win over supporters during his short spell in Glasgow.
Araujo arrived with little time to settle and even less time to think. Thrown into high intensity matches almost immediately, he adapted quickly and brought a level of energy that Celtic fans warmed to straight away. His aggressive defending, forward runs and willingness to compete in big moments made him stand out in a squad under constant pressure.
And then came the moment that sealed his connection with the support.
A dramatic stoppage time winner away at Kilmarnock that sent the travelling fans into celebration and gave a glimpse of what his presence could mean for the team moving forward.
That is why this news feels so difficult to take in.
A short spell that left a lasting mark
Even though his time at Celtic has been brief, Araujo’s impact has been anything but forgettable. He featured 13 times and quickly became a player supporters looked forward to seeing, especially in matches where intensity mattered more than structure.
There was always a sense that he was still growing into the role, still adjusting, still finding another level he could reach in this environment. But that process has now been cut short.
For Celtic, it is another reminder of how unpredictable squad building can be. Players arrive, make an impression, and just when they begin to settle, circumstances change.
What happens next will now become a talking point. Whether Celtic attempt to revisit the deal in future or move in a different direction entirely remains to be seen.
But for supporters, the immediate feeling is simpler.
Disappointment.
Because just when it felt like another piece of the puzzle was beginning to take shape, it is already being taken away.