Celtic

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain insists his brilliant Celtic debut winner is just the start as he aims to "repay" the club for relaunching his career.

The 32-year-old former England midfielder had gone five months without a club, and was training with former team Arsenal, before being handed a deal by Martin O'Neill until the end of the season.

"This time a couple of weeks ago I didn't know where my future was in the game," Oxlade-Chamberlain said.

"I kept my head down, trained hard and kept believing that something else would come up. Now I'm going to do everything I can to repay the club with the faith they've put in me."

Oxlade-Chamberlain made an immediate and stunning impact for Celtic, coming off the bench to curl in a stoppage-time winner against bottom club Livingston on a dramatic night in the title race.

"It's been the best part of my season so far," the former England international said of his goal.

"I thought the atmosphere was really good, especially after the goal.

"That means a lot and I think it's our job now to be more clinical, put games to bed earlier if we can and play the football the fans want to see and go and win games with authority. That's our job."

And the reaction to his goal on Wednesday night gave Oxlade-Chamberlain an insight into what former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart had been telling him about.

"I spoke to Joe Hart about four weeks ago about this place," he added.

"This was before this opportunity had come up. He was just telling me about his time here, how much he loved it and how the stadium can be when things are going well.

"I've just seen a real good glimpse of it."

We asked for your views after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a late winner on his debut for Celtic against Livingston.

Here are some of your comments:

Liam: How we are still in this title race is beyond me. Every game is really hard, we still don't have a goalscorer and we lack quality with the final ball. A superb night results-wise though. If we can get Kelechi Iheanacho back for the run-in and keep him fit we may have a chance.

Gordy: Another win at a struggle. We played some nice football but don't have a killer touch in front of goal. We should be beating most teams emphatically in the league but aren't and I think this will cost us the league. When we don't go two or three up we will always struggle defensively and the players begin to panic when the crowd begin to panic, this will lead to drop points.

John M: Well whatever the deal was to lure Oxlade-Chamberlain to Celtic then a huge chunk has been paid back in his debut. A sumptuous goal gives Martin O'Neill's makeshift crew a precious win. Chaotic at the end but worth it, though not sure I can take many more last-gasp winners. By hook or by crook Celtic are getting closer to this title.

Shadow: What a season. Struggling in every game yet finding ways to win in injury time to keep in the hunt for the league. This is merely papering over the cracks of a chaotic season. The team and brand of football are lethargic and paying fans are getting a poor product. There needs to be engagement from board level to fan level now or it will be a barren season. The league is Hearts' to lose, but not to Celtic I suspect.

Paul: Great debut goal from Chamberlain to snatch yet another last-gasp win. Celtic will simply need to be much more cynical and ruthless in front of goal, which has been their Achilles heel all season long, if they have any aspirations of closing the gap on runaway leaders Hearts.

Peter: Another very poor performance in a season full of poor performances. The only thing that matters though is the two goals, the win and the three points. A run of tough games coming up, we will need all the new players to hit the ground running and be up for the fight.

John: Reo Hatate has become a total liability, best to leave him out and play Oxlade-Chamberlain from the start.

Nottingham Forest will make another move for Celtic's 22-year-old Belgium midfielder, Arne Engels, in the summer after failing to sign him in January. (Football Insider), external

Interim manager Martin O'Neill has dismissed reports that Celtic have offered a contract to 28-year-old RB Leipzig midfielder Xaver Schlager. (Football Transfers), external

Motherwell will listen to offers for 23-year-old forward Tawanda Maswanhise this summer amid interest from both Celtic and Rangers. (Football Insider), external

Rangers have outspent city rivals Celtic over the last two transfer windows, despite the latter banking £53m from transfers over the previous five years. (Daily Record), external

Julian Araujo, the right-back on loan to Celtic from Bournemouth, says he switched allegiance despite making one appearance for United States, the country of his birth, because he grew up in a Mexican household and it was his dream to play for them. (The National), external

Glasgow city centre residents say they have been left disappointed that, despite meetings last year, no plans regarding potential football title party celebrations in May have been communicated to them. (Glasgow Times), external

Celtic are facing further legal action over allegations of historic abuse at Celtic Boys Club. (The National), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Watch the highlights as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scores a late goal on his debut to help Celtic to a narrow win over bottom side Livingston. Available to UK users only

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain curled home a magnificent debut goal in second-half stoppage time to secure a potentially crucial win for Celtic over Livingston in the Scottish Premiership title race.

Read the match report

Have your say

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Celtic manager Martin O'Neill starts by telling BBC Scotland about his emotions when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored: "Naturally delighted. I was relieved that that was going to hopefully be the winning goal, scored by a very, very fine player.

"He had a choice of a lot of teams. He's decided to come up here and help us out. He's done more than that, he's got us three points on the board.

"We reached that situation because we missed a lot of chances and their goalkeeper played very well. There must have been four chances before we scored. We needed a second goal because Livingston - who played very well - could get back into the game.

"Of course, they do equalise and we're pressing and pressing. We didn't look like we were going to get any reward at all and Alex scores this brilliant goal. When it left his foot, I could see it going in and that was a real delight.

"He's been a really fine player in his career, an excellent career. It's just a matter of him getting up to speed and I think that will come. He's naturally fit and hopefully he will be a big asset to us.

"I think there will be twists and turns in the rest of the season. Hearts are in a very strong position and we've been chasing since I've come in, first and second time. We kept ourselves in the hunt tonight."

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

Eight games, 24 days, three competitions.

Livingston's visit to Parkhead tonight kicks off a hectic and onerous run of Celtic fixtures that interim boss Martin O'Neill has described as season defining.

Three of the first four games in this sequence are at home - but the final four are all away, including two derby trips to Ibrox.

Bottom club Livi, with respect, are a gentle introduction before tougher tests await. Celtic visit a Kilmarnock side fighting for their Premiership lives on Sunday before hosting Stuttgart next Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League play-off.

Then it's Hibs at Celtic Park before the second leg away to Stuttgart as Celtic bid to advance to the last 16 of European competition for the first time since 2013.

Once their European fate is decided, Celtic play Rangers twice at Ibrox - in the league and Scottish Cup quarter-finals (date now confirmed as 8 March) - either side of a rearranged midweek visit to Pittodrie.

O'Neill's men have little room for slip-ups in the league as they try to chase down Rangers and leaders Hearts, whose derby win over Hibs on Tuesday night put them nine points clear of Celtic having played two games more.

Speaking at his news conference on Tuesday, O'Neill said of the impending run: "We have to try and stay in contention. Quite a few fixtures are big for us.

"Two of those matches anyway are because we've qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League, so that's good news in one aspect.

"I didn't really want the exertions of the game in Feyenoord and the big effort in Bologna to go to waste, so we've beaten Utrecht and let's get on with it."

And football writer Stephen McGowan, a guest on Wednesday's BBC Scottish Football Podcast, believes that with a "heck of a run" looming, Celtic must make the Livi game as "effortless as possible" to conserve energy.

Tino
Fan writer

It's now mid-February and despite the chaos of the season so far, Celtic still have a huge opportunity to finish the campaign successfully. Both on and off the park.

Though currently third, we're right in the thick of a title race - one that should become a lot clearer over the next few weeks as key fixtures play out.

Our Scottish Cup hopes remain alive - just - after Saturday's extra-time drama against Dundee and the draw takes us to Ibrox, with a place in the semi-finals on the line.

And in Europe, Stuttgart stand between us and a place in the Europa League last 16.

So far, so straightforward in terms of the challenges on the pitch. Off it, as we all know however, is another matter entirely.

Step forward Brian Wilson. The former non-executive director, now interim chairman, has been viewed by many as part of the problem in recent times. But he now has the chance to become part of the solution - if he chooses to do so.

Since taking up the role in mid-December, Wilson has spoken publicly about his desire to broker peace between the club and the support - a sentiment that is, of course, welcome.

But talk is cheap.

Alongside chief executive Michael Nicholson, he now has the opportunity to reset the relationship and take meaningful action that could help steer Celtic toward success in these closing months and beyond.

Doing so may require concessions on all sides. It may demand humility in certain quarters. And it may mean not everyone gets exactly what they want.

But if it moves everyone closer to the ultimate goal - whatever form that takes - then it has to be worth it.

And the sooner some form of resolution is found, the better.

Because if not, we're rolling the dice with the title. We're gambling with the prospect of Champions League football next season. And worst of all, we risk tarnishing the legacy of a man who has stepped into the breach not once but twice for Celtic this season.

Do right by Martin O'Neill. Do right by the fans. And the chance to end the season in spectacular style awaits.

Whether that is 'good' or 'bad' spectacular, however, rests in the hands of Wilson and his fellow board members.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

Interim manager Martin O'Neill says Celtic will likely have an overhaul of their recruitment and that the club has to be "more robust" in their business. (The Herald)

Former Sweden team-mate Stefan Schwarz does not believe Henrik Larsson would be in the frame for a return to Celtic should they decide to replace O'Neill in the summer. (The Scotsman)

Celtic legend Larsson was heckled by a Rangers supporter as he went to tee up his ball on the first hole in a celebrity golf tournament. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, SNS

Celtic's new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has already shown his class in training and will influence games for the club, according to Liam Scales.

The former England midfielder joined the Premiership champions last week but hasn't played a competitive game since last May, before he left Besiktas.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is in contention to make his debut against Livingston on Wednesday but Scales has already seen the 32-year-old in action and has been impressed.

"He looks brilliant," defender Scales said. "Really sharp.

"You can tell that he's played at the highest level from his technical ability and how he moves. You can see why he's played for clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool, and for England. He's a top player.

"He looks sharp and fit. I think he has been putting in a lot of work when he hasn't been on games.

"It's up to the manager [when he plays] but he'll influence games positively for us."

Oxlade -Chamberlain is one of six new faces to have joined the squad since the turn of the year, following Julian Araujo, Tomas Cvancara, Junior Adamu, Benjamin Arthur and Joel Mvuka.

Scales feels the new arrivals have helped add to the competition within the squad and will raise everyone's performances.

"When you add players in it lifts the guys who have been here a long time," he said. "People are coming in to fight for places and that in general is a good thing.

"We've recruited well. All the guys that have come in look really good and they are good lads as well.

"I do feel like after transfer windows you get a boost in levels because everyone needs to be on it.

"It's always good to the end of the window and there's no more question of anyone coming or going. You have that set squad."

Image source, SNS

Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney is set to play with a broken nose while new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could potentially make the squad.

Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Jota (knee), Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand (both hamstring) remain out.

Livingston pair Scott Arfield (hamstring) and Connor McLennan (ankle) join Aidan Denholm (hamstring) on the sidelines.

Cristian Montano could return after injury while Jeremy Bokila is available after suspension.

Image source, SNS

Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media before Celtic host Livingston in the Premiership on Wednesday night.

Here are the key points:

• New signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could make his debut: "He trained yesterday and today so he is looking pretty good. I haven't picked the squad yet, but there is a possibility of that."

• Kieran Tierney suffered a broken bone in his nose as well as suspected concussion after being kicked in the face during Saturday's extra-time cup win over Dundee, but "wants to be available".

• On drawing Rangers away in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals, O'Neill says: "I kind of guessed it. I told the lads it was Rangers away or Dunfermline with Lenny [Neil Lennon]. Obviously a tough fixture for us and that's four games in about 10 days, but it is what it is."

• Celtic have eight games in the next 24 days, ending that run with four successive away matches including two trips to Ibrox, and O'Neill admits it is a season-defining sequence, adding: "I feel as if we've been playing midweek since I arrived back the second time around."

• Scottish Cup rules allow visiting clubs to request a ticket allocation up to 20% of stadium capacity, and O'Neill says: "I don't know what the club's stance is, but if you take me out of the club at this minute, just being a Celtic supporter, I want all the tickets that we can get, the allocation that's available to us under the rules, and I assume that would be forthcoming."

• The Celtic boss says the Old Firm derby has "lost a little bit" because of reduced away allocations, adding: "It's one of the great fixtures in European football, if not the world, and I thought lost that. But at least there's some fans coming back now and that makes a bit of a difference."

• Celtic's trip to face Aberdeen, which was postponed last week, is rescheduled for in between Celtic's visits to Ibrox and O'Neill says: "I thought the Aberdeen fixture was stuck in there very, very quickly."

• He adds that could have been "considered" because four successive away games - including to Stuttgart in the Europa League - is "an awful lot of travelling" and it is "difficult to afford those particular fixtures".

• On facing bottom club Livingston, O'Neill says his side are not good enough to be "taking anybody lightly" but there will be "some sort of rotation" amid a hectic schedule.

• O'Neill confirms he will be watching league leaders Hearts at home to Hibs in the Edinburgh derby tonight.

Image source, SNS

• This will be Martin O'Neill's 200th league game in charge of Celtic (P199 W163 D20 L15 to date) - the sixth manager to reach that milestone with the club. He has already won the most matches of any manager within their opening 200 league fixtures with the club (164, Neil Lennon second with 154).

• Benjamin Nygren has scored in Celtic's past four league games; the last player to score in five successive league appearances for the club was Daizen Maeda in March 2025, while the last to do so during his debut campaign was Scott Sinclair in September 2016 (six). Nygren has four goals in two Scottish Premiership games against Livingston – his most against any side in the division.

• Celtic remain unbeaten in all 22 of their home games against Livingston in all competitions (W19 D3), only ever facing Dumbarton more times on home soil without losing (26).

• Livingston have lost their past 10 meetings with Celtic in all competitions by an aggregate score of 30-6 since a 0-0 stalemate in October 2021.

• Livingston are winless in 23 league games (D7 L16) since beating Falkirk 3-1 in August. It's the longest run without a win by any side in Scotland's top flight in the 21st century.

Image source, Getty Images

Jose Mourinho is a name being considered as the next permanent Celtic manager despite Ange Postecoglu being widely tipped for a return, with the 63-year-old Portuguese possibly leaving Benfica before the World Cup. (Sports Boom), external

Juventus are poised to beat Celtic to the signing of 28-year-old midfielder Xaver Schlager, who has confirmed he will leave RB Leipzig this summer on freedom of contract. (Corriere dello Sport via 90 Minutes), external

Celtic centre-half Stephen Welsh admits he was left in the dark right up until the final minutes of the January transfer window before the 26-year-old was allowed to re-join Motherwell on loan. (Daily Record), external

Falkirk manager John McGlynn has dismissed a claim that Celtic were interested in Calvin Miller on transfer deadline day, insisting they received no contact from the 28-year-old wide man's former club last month. (Glasgow Times), external

Greg Taylor says he left Celtic last summer for PAOK because he did not think he would be given enough game time on the return of fellow left-back Kieran Tierney from Arsenal. (Open Goal podcast), external

Celtic and Rangers were both interested in signing Damir Redzic, but the 22-year-old Hungary striker opted for Red Bull Salzburg despite Celtic making a higher offer, Dunajska Streda sports director Jan Van Daele has revealed. (The Herald), external

Celtic's Europa League opponents, Stuttgart, have been handed time off to freshen them up before this month's play-off game. (The Herald), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

New signing Oxlade Oxlade-Chamberlain has already scored at Celtic Park. On 18 November 2014, to be precise.

It was England's first trip north of the border in 15 years, with Roy Hodgson at the helm after a disappointing World Cup in Brazil.

Oxlade-Chamberlain had been in the squad for that tournament, aged just 20, having made his national debut two years before, but did not feature in South America.

Two years prior, he had broken through at Southampton, and a move to Arsenal beckined. Two solid years at the Emirates then cemented him in the England side.

With Hampden out of action following the Commonwealth Games, the Auld Enemy headed to Celtic Park for a glamour friendly against Gordon Strachan's Scots.

The night ended up being about Wayne Rooney, as the England skipper scored two goals in a 3-1 win to close in on Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time England record of 49 goals. It has since been usurped by both Rooney and Harry Kane.

Scotland's goal came from a then 20-year-old Andy Robertson. He linked brilliantly with Johnny Russell to slide the ball past Fraser Forster - who had left Celtic to join Southampton three months prior - for his first international goal.

The opener, though, was a deft header from Oxlade-Chamberlain. Picked out by a gorgeous ball from Arsenal team-mate Jack Wilshere, the right-winger peeled off Grant Hanley and glanced the ball past a motionless David Marshall.

In what was just his 20th cap, he already had his fourth England goal. It seemed he would become a regular for years, the ceiling for his potential sky high.

Yet, injuries would stall his progression and limit him to another 15 caps. After representing his country at Euro 2012, Oxlade-Chamberlain played in no other major tournaments.

Celtic were denied a clear penalty in their Scottish Cup victory over Dundee, according to former referee Keith Hackett, who called for head of Scottish officiating Willie Collum to review the decision. (Football Insider), external

Celtic could claim an away ticket allocation of more than 10,000 for their Scottish Cup quarter-final trip to Ibrox, if signed off by both clubs and the police. (Daily Record), external

Former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-Gyu scored a magnificent overhead kick on his debut for Turkish side Besiktas, having signed from Genk at the end of the transfer window.

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

• St Mirren v Partick Thistle

• Falkirk v Dundee United or Spartans

• Rangers v Celtic

• Dunfermline Athletic v Aberdeen or Motherwell

All four last-eight ties are scheduled to be played on weekend of 7 March.