Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain arrived at Parkhead with little fanfare and even less time on the clock, but his late cameo on Wednesday night will be replayed in Celtic folklore for weeks to come.
Introduced in the 78th minute against Livingston, the England international touched the ball just 14 times, yet one of those touches rewrote the script, a stoppage-time strike that rescued a 2–1 win and injected fresh life into Celtic’s title pursuit.
For long stretches, the champions looked blunt and frustrated, peppering the visiting goalkeeper with shots but failing to find the net. Jerome Prior produced a string of saves, and the scoreboard stubbornly read 1–1.
Then Oxlade-Chamberlain, signed on a free until season’s end, stepped into the spotlight. His composed finish in the dying moments not only sealed three points but also narrowed the gap to Hearts at the summit, turning what felt like a missed opportunity into a momentum-shifting triumph.
This was not the work of a rusty veteran. Despite his last competitive outing being in May and a spell without a club since leaving Besiktas, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s strike carried the pedigree of a player who has won the game’s biggest prizes.
His career — studded with FA Cups, Champions League and Premier League honours — showed in the calmness of his touch and the timing of his run. The goal was a reminder that class can arrive in a cameo and change the course of a season.
Interim manager Martin O’Neill, unbeaten domestically this season, was effusive in his praise. He described the finish as “brilliant” and hailed Oxlade-Chamberlain as a potential big asset for the run-in. O’Neill stressed that the midfielder’s fitness and experience will be invaluable as Celtic chase silverware on multiple fronts, and hinted that the 32-year-old’s influence will grow as he regains full match sharpness.
After the game, Oxlade-Chamberlain paid tribute to those who helped him stay ready, thanking Arsenal for allowing him to train and the Celtic manager for the opportunity. He spoke candidly about the challenges of aging in football and his determination to prove he still has plenty to offer.
The move to Parkhead, he said, felt right from the start — a decision nudged by family pride and a hunger to contribute.
The late winner tightens the race. Celtic now sit within touching distance of Rangers and closer to Hearts, with a game in hand that could prove decisive.
More than points, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal delivered belief — a reminder that a single moment of quality can lift a squad and electrify a campaign.
If Wednesday was a headline, it was also a teaser. Oxlade-Chamberlain himself acknowledged that 13 minutes of action is only the beginning. For Celtic, the hope is that his cameo becomes a catalyst: a veteran’s spark that lights a sustained push for honours as the season reaches its most intense chapters.
