Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a shocking stoppage-time winner on his Celtic debut to safe a dramatic 2-1 win towards Livingston, retaining their title hopes alive within the course of.
Ambitions of staying inside touching distance of Hearts on the high of the desk had been starting to fade as Celtic struggled to interrupt down bottom-of-the-table Livingston after Robbie Muirhead’s penalty cancelled out Marcelo Saracchi’s opener.
Nonetheless, after climbing off the bench within the 78th minute to make his debut, after solely signing for the membership 4 days prior, Oxlade-Chamberlain stepped up within the 91st minute to curve residence the winner, introducing himself to the house crowd in excellent fashion.
“A great goal from a special player,” stated Martin O’Neill to Sky Sports activities after the sport. “I couldn’t be more delighted for him.
“He is a wonderful participant, and when he will get proper up to the mark with the tempo of the video games, he shall be an asset to us.”
Celtic’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates scoring to make it 2-1 with teammate Benjamin Nygren
The victory, as thrilling because it was, doubtless ought to have been extra convincing given their dominance on the night however the Hoops had been constantly thwarted by Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior, who made 9 saves in complete.
Martin O’Neill’s aspect now sit six factors adrift of Hearts on the high of the desk with a recreation in hand and face Kilmarnock on Sunday, stay on Sky Sports activities, as they appear to proceed making use of stress within the title race.
Rangers conceding late to attract towards 10-man Motherwell, following a purpose from Celtic loanee Stephen Welsh, means the Hoops now sit only one level behind their rivals.
“That is great for us, he is a Celtic player,” O’Neill added when requested about Welsh scoring towards Rangers. “Well done him.”
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Stephen Welsh breaks Rangers’ hearts with a late equaliser at Fir Park.
O’Neill: Tonight was large for us, we have now been chasing all season
Celtic boss Martin O’Neill chatting with Sky Sports activities:
“We got ourselves into a situation where we could have been out of shift and their goalkeeper played very well. One goal was never going to be enough; there was always a possibility of conceding. That is the nature of the game.
“It was an amazing win for us in the long run. We’ve got proven the spirit and willpower however that alone won’t see us by means of. Tonight was a giant, huge victory for us. We must always have been nicely in entrance.
“I think it is the same. We have been chasing all season and naturally, there is no room for manoeuvre. Tonight would have been disappointing to drop points but we didn’t, so we continue to chase.”
