Celtic matchwinner makes 'drawing it up' confession and reveals key quality club will need in title chase

The 32-year-old joined the club on a free transfer last week and became an instant hero when he climbed off the bench to curl home a sublime injury-time winner at Celtic Park, just as it looked like Martin O’Neill’s men were set to drop precious points in the title race against the league’s bottom side.

Marcelo Saracchi’s 15th-minute goal fired the hosts into an early lead in Glasgow, but they found themselves pegged back when Robbie Muirhead levelled the scores from the penalty spot just before the hour mark, before Oxlade-Chamberlain’s moment of quality saved the day. Six points behind table-topping Hearts with a game in hand, the Celtic new boy is hoping he can provide more magic moments in the weeks ahead.

“I was sort of drawing that one up in the hotel room earlier,” admitted Oxlade-Chamberlain. “Those are the sort of ones you dream of, later in my career, moments like that - it's why you play the game. You never get bored of stuff like that.

“But again, great character from the boys, they stayed focused all the way through the game and got the win there. We saw it again the other night; it's a special, special place, and tonight proves it. I've seen it over the years watching Celtic, and now to feel that.

“It is a massive, massive club, and the fans can play such a big role. For us as players, it's our job to keep inspiring, keep them there, keep them with us and keep performing for them”

His first competitive appearance in nine months, the experienced England international had been without a club since leaving Turkish giants Besiktas at the end of last season. Training with former club Arsenal to keep up his fitness levels when he received an approach from Celtic manager O’Neill about a potential move across the border, the playmaker confessed he was delighted to immediately repay the 73-year-old boss for taking a chance on him.

“I'm just delighted the club have given me the chance to be back on the pitch,” smiled Oxlade-Chamberlain. “They’ve put a bit of faith in me to have moments like that. That's my job, to try and add a bit of quality. We were knocking the door down for a long time there, and we're going to have to learn that we need moments like that. Bits of quality, and be a bit more clinical to be able to see games out.”

Celtic boss O’Neill said: “It's a wonder goal from a special player. Even though it was late, it was great for us to win it. Here's hoping that he is just beginning. That was terrific, a class goal from a player who has been class throughout his career.

“It was late again for us, in all honestly we should have been three or four up in the first 15 minutes of the game. We get one, but it's never enough, but then Alex comes up with a wonder goal. A wonder goal from a player who has been a very special player.”

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