Martin O’Neill believes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain played a key role in calming Celtic as they secured a 3-1 victory over Falkirk at the weekend…
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Ibrox. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
The Scottish champions established a 2–0 lead before half-time through goals from Daizen Maeda and Kieran Tierney. Falkirk responded in the second half, with Kyrell Wilson pulling one back with a spectacular strike.
As nerves grew at Celtic Park, O’Neill highlighted Oxlade-Chamberlain’s late introduction as decisive in regaining control. The former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder came on in the 78th minute and helped steady the team.
Spirit of ’86 – Celtic team’s welcome to Paradise. Saturday 25 April 2026. Celtic v Falkirk. Scottish Premiership. Photo Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
READ THIS ON CELTIC SHORTS…Celtic 3-1 Falkirk – Celtic TV’s Unique Angle is well worth a watch
Maeda then added his second goal shortly after the Ox coming on, sealing a 3–1 win and ensuring Celtic saw out the match comfortably.
Speaking post-match via Celtic TV, O’Neill said: “I think the introduction of, I know it was only for the last 15 minutes, but I thought that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain brought a calmness to us at the end of it. Just to settle us down again and take it on from there.”
Spirit of ’86 – Celtic team’s welcome to Paradise. Saturday 25 April 2026. Celtic v Falkirk. Scottish Premiership. Photo Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
With just four fixtures remaining, Celtic’s task is straightforward, maximum points will guarantee the Scottish Premiership title.
O’Neill’s side are next in action away to Hibernian on Sunday, before a demanding run-in to close the campaign.
The Hoops are set to take on the Ibrox club, Motherwell and Hearts in their final three matches, a sequence that could ultimately decide the destination of the title.
Spirit of ’86 – Celtic team’s welcome to Paradise. Saturday 25 April 2026. Celtic v Falkirk. Scottish Premiership. Photo Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
“I think that we’ve got a tough task next week [against Hibs],“ O’Neill added. “Honestly, we can only treat each game on its merit, really, and that’s all it is. I think that we’ve battled, we’ve been battling strongly.”
“I think we showed some fine play today. We made some mistakes in the game, which could have been costly.”
“I thought there was a little period for 10 or 15 minutes, maybe less, it looked from where I am, remember, I’m negative, so it looked as if we were losing a bit of control. I thought that Falkirk played through us a few times, but I thought we got a grip of that.”
Spirit of ’86 – Celtic team’s welcome to Paradise. Saturday 25 April 2026. Celtic v Falkirk. Scottish Premiership. Photo Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Conor Spence
Daizen Maeda celebrates during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
READ THIS ON CELTIC SHORTS…“Goal Celtic – The scorer, number 38, Daizen, Daizen, Daizen….” Maeda
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Think it’s starting to become clearer now, upon how MoN may be intending to use his 20man match day squad imo?
Calmac and Tierney seem to be struggling for the full 90 minutes at present, hence the roles of the OX and Saracchi imo?
AJ won’t be up to a full 90 minutes either, so looking like ralston still has a huge part to play in the remainder of this season also?
As we are now potentially looking at 3 wide options, with Maeda starting through the middle, allows for kelchi to come on, with Maeda moving to the left?
Seb of forrest to start, but starter getting replaced by the other, and yang getting replaced when kelchi enters?
At present that’s looking like a potential gameplay, for ourselves, but we also have to be prepared for the unexpected also during a match?
Never been a fan of pre planned subs, especially as it limits the amount of options available during match time. But potentially having to consider 3 is way too high for my liking at present imo?
The good news now, is that we are finally getting to a stage, where are subs are able to make an impact within a match. That element has been badly missing for large parts of this season also.
Personally still have my doubts surrounding Nygren as a 90 minute player, but with his goals record, can understand why MoN is still placing a higher level of trust within him, than I would for the course of a match imo?
But overall, still believe that we have enough within our 20man match day squad, to gain the winning results we require this season, all the same imo?