Celtic picked up the three points last night against Livingston but we certainly made it hard for ourselves, relying on another late show in stoppage time from a debut Bhoy to get the victory. This time it was the turn of man of the moment Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain …
11.02.2026 Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership. Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain celebrates after scoring the late winner at Celtic Park. Photo: Kenny Ramsay. IMAGO / News Licensing
In the first of three articles on The Celtic Star today I started by looking at the loss of form suffered by Reo Hatate in recent months and how it is now starting to become a real concern for Celtic as we enter the most important part of the season.
Reo Hatate of Celtic. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
With Arne Engels now looking likely to miss a number of crucial matches, Martin O’Neill could really do with Reo performing at his usual high standard but once again last night the Japanese midfielder fell well below that and indeed almost cost Celtic two valuable points.
Reo was saved by new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who I believe is exactly the type of quality player that Celtic needs as we enter the business end of the season.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is exactly the type of quality player we need
New signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Celtic is paraded in front of the fans ahead of kick off at Celtic Park. Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Cup, Fifth Round, Celtic Park, on 07 February 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock
When Celtic were linked with out of contract former England International Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the end of the transfer window some scoffed at the idea of him coming to Glasgow.
Many thought his best days were past him and that he would be a flop in Scotland but already he has proven his worth to this Celtic team and shown himself to be a shrewd piece of business by Martin O’Neill.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Celtic reacts at the final whistle with Callum McGregor. Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 11 February 2026. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO/Shutterstock
This Celtic team has been crying out for someone with a bit of quality this season and the Ox was exactly what we needed. He’s a player who has operated at the top level his whole career. Even more importantly is he seems to still have the hunger to prove himself in the latter days of his career.
This signing feels a lot more Joe Hart than Freddie Ljungberg, someone focused on proving he’s still got plenty in the tank and can still make a difference at a high level.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal to make it 2-1 to Celtic. 11.02.2026 Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership. Photo Kenny Ramsay. IMAGO/ News Licensing
I don’t see Alex starting every game but we can see the impact he can make when he does appear, and the level of quality he possesses could be that tiny extra piece needed to get us over the line this season.
It just shows the difference signing players with proven quality over potential can make. Here’s his post-match media conference and the Ox certainly looks delighted with his debut goal for Celtic.
Next I’ll look at something that will possibly be troubling you after watching Celtic miss chance after chance last night. Not taking our chances early is going to cost us at some point and we need to stop dicing with disaster by putting the ball in the back of the net.
Conall McGinty
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Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
But he wont be able to play more than half an hour and I hope Celtic dont need him on the plastic pitch i seen man city playing Bodo on artificail and it did not hinder the players good game but these three artificail pitches in spl falkirk is best rugby park is poor and should be watered by law but i never seen sprinklers on when Celtic play there you cant pass ball moves that slow it gets intercepted then supporters get frustated thats the reason for lack of watering im happy when it rains livinston straw mat and should not be played by any level of football never mind our top level danegerous O’Neil has to change tactis at rugby pitch get ball into kilmarnock half press them or even win second ball let there defense try and play on that pitch you will get misplaced passes rather in there half than ours
Let it all out Jack. Tell it like it is goddamit. Don’t let those pesky full stops block your beautiful flow.