Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Last-Minute Heroics Propel Celtic in Title Race

omidbasir- Oxlade-Chamberlain quickly endeared himself to the Parkhead faithful with a moment of brilliance, securing three points from a potentially frustrating draw. Entering the match as a substitute in the 78th minute for his first competitive appearance since last May, the 32-year-old made only 14 touches, but one proved pivotal.

Celtic, the reigning champions, appeared poised to drop crucial points against the league’s bottom club. They were repeatedly thwarted by an impressive display from Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior, who made nine saves to keep the score level. However, deep into stoppage time, Oxlade-Chamberlain delivered a stunning finish to clinch a 2-1 win.

This goal not only spared Celtic from embarrassment but also significantly impacted the dynamics of the Premiership title race. With Rangers stumbling to a 1-1 draw at Motherwell, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s strike brought Martin O’Neill’s side within a point of their Glasgow rivals in second place, while narrowing the gap to league leaders Hearts to just six points, with the Hoops still having a game in hand.

For Oxlade-Chamberlain, the goal validated his belief in his ability to compete at the highest level. After being released by Turkish giants Besiktas last year, he faced challenges in finding a new club, largely due to the sport’s emphasis on youth. “It’s been difficult. Sometimes the way things go in football, especially after you cross the 30-year mark, you’re not perceived as valuable anymore,” he remarked post-match. “I knew I still had a lot to contribute, and training consistently over the last three months gave me the confidence that I can still make a significant impact in the game.”

He expressed gratitude to his former club Arsenal, which allowed him to train at London Colney during the winter months to maintain his fitness. “I want to extend a big thank you to everyone at Arsenal for giving me the chance to keep my fitness up,” he added. “When opportunities like that arise, you aim to repay with moments of quality.”

Celtic manager O’Neill, who remains unbeaten in domestic competition during both of his stints this season, praised the newcomer. He acknowledged that his team was facing a damaging result until the veteran’s timely intervention. “We didn’t seem likely to gain any reward, and then Alex scores this brilliant goal. I could see it going in as soon as it left his foot, which was a real delight. He’s had an excellent career, and it’s about him getting back up to speed. I believe that will come. He’s naturally fit and can be a significant asset for us. He had options with various teams, but he chose to come here and has truly made a difference by securing us three points.”

While the allure of a title chase was compelling, Oxlade-Chamberlain revealed that family ties played a crucial role in his decision to move north. His father, former England international Mark Chamberlain, was instrumental in encouraging him to seize the opportunity. “This is an amazing opportunity. When it presented itself, I had no doubts. My dad’s from an era where this club holds great significance. He was eager to help, saying he would drive me up there himself,” he explained. “It’s a great beginning, but I understand that there’s much more to achieve beyond just 13 minutes.”

As the gap to the top narrows and momentum shifts back in their favor, Celtic fans will be hoping their new No. 15 has plenty more magic to offer before the season concludes in May. “Tonight is a fantastic start for me, but more importantly, it keeps our objectives alive and propels us in the right direction,” he concluded.