Celtic needed quality in the door to help with the title push; that much was obvious. One well-known presenter has weighed in on what he believes could be their best bit of transfer business as the season intensifies and games stack up.
The Hoops left it late against Livingston. Anxiety grew as the game looked to be heading for a draw. The introduction of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain swung things.
He was granted his debut in the 78th minute and opened his account in fairytale fashion. His curling effort in stoppage time sent the Celtic Park crowd roaring.
It was a goal that rolled back the years and showed the Ox’s quality, as if we needed reminding.
That was his first appearance on a football pitch this season, having not featured since a match for Besiktas nine months ago. The 32-year-old had been training with Arsenal to maintain fitness before his move to Glasgow.
BBC Sportscene Presenter Stephen Thompson had his say on Oxlade-Chamberlain’s debut goal, and the ‘frightening’ impact his arrival could have on Scottish football.
He said:
“We are talking about a guy here who has played football at the highest level. He showed in his cameo at the end of the game how valuable he could be to Celtic in the run-in towards the title.
“Not played a lot of football recently, but when you have got the level of quality he has, and he showed it there, when he gets going, he could be a frightening prospect for them.”
Celtic’s new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ahead of the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup fifth round match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday February 7, 2026.
His minutes will need to be managed; there’s no question. We cannot afford to have any more long-term injuries, particularly to a player who has a history of issues.
He may not start in Sunday’s clash with Kilmarnock, but expect him to feature at some point.
Elsewhere, Arne Engels is a doubt. He was substituted off in the first half of that win over Livingston, with Shaun Maloney admitting a timescale is yet to be given.
It’s another huge game, particularly given the top two face each other later on. If Celtic win, they either leapfrog their city rivals or they cut the gap on league-leaders Hearts; both happen if that match ends in a draw.
