Sometimes it’s written in the stars. That was the case last night as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a late winner on his Celtic debut. Martin O’Neill was quick to praise the Hoops’ latest signing for keeping them firmly in this chaotic title race.

Celtic had started sharply enough. Marcelo Saracchi opened the scoring after 15 minutes, a brilliant first touch setting up a clean left-footed finish that should have settled everyone down. It did not.

Livingston refused to fold. Jérôme Prior kept them alive with save after save, each stop cranking up the frustration in the stands.

Celtic should have been out of sight. Instead, they let the game drift.

Then came the swing.

Reo Hatate swiped at a loose ball in the second half and caught Robbie Muirhead. The Japanese midfielder did not see him coming, but it did not matter, penalty given.

Bottom of the table or not, Livingston took it. 1-1. Anxiety all around the ground.

Dropping points at home is not an option in this title race. Every week throws up something different. Celtic could feel it slipping.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was subbed on in the 78th minute to a thunderous reception. There was an expectancy about it. A sense that he might have one moment in him, and he did.

In the first minute of stoppage time, the 32-year-old collected the ball on the edge and bent it into the corner. Clean. Precise. Unstoppable.

alex Oxlade-Chamberlian at Celtic Park
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.

The noise inside Celtic Park felt like a European night. Relief as much as joy.

After the match, manager Martin O’Neill was not shy in his praise.

He said (Sky Sports):

“A great goal from a special player, who has been throughout his career. Couldn’t be more delighted for him.

“He’s an excellent player. When he gets right up to speed with the pace of the game, he’ll be an asset to us if he stays fit.”

There was also a wider point from O’Neill about where this squad stands now.

“I think we’re stronger than we were, let’s say, 15 days ago. I think with the players that we brought in.

“But we needed the players in, numerically speaking, as much as anything else. But a bit of quality as well.”

That quality won Celtic the game. It was not fluent, nor was it comfortable. Livingston exposed nerves and wastefulness.

But when the pressure tightened, someone delivered.

In a title race that refuses to settle, that might be all that matters.

A trip to Ayrshire is up next for the Hoops. There’s no time to admire one moment. This title race has offered countless twists, and there’s likely to be more. Six points off the top with a game in hand – this campaign is far from over.