Celtic supporters felt the wait had been justified.
Following a January window that brought mixed reviews, the club moved swiftly after the deadline to secure Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a free transfer. The late addition generated real excitement, and it did not take long for him to deliver.
His dramatic winner against Livingston not only secured three vital points but also answered those who doubted whether he still had the quality to make an impact. When Rangers pundits Derek Ferguson and Gordon Dalziel are full of praise for a Celtic player, it speaks volumes.
Speaking on Open Goal, the panel dissected Oxlade-Chamberlain’s decisive strike. With Celtic under pressure in the title race and deep into stoppage time, the situation demanded composure. The 32 year old produced exactly that.
Si Ferry pointed out that Paul Slane celebrated wildly in the stands when the goal went in. Slane responded simply, “What a goal.” James McFadden echoed the sentiment.
Dalziel focused on the technical brilliance behind the finish. “See his touch,” he said, clearly impressed. Slane described it as amazing, while McFadden noted that not many players would have scored from that position.
Dalziel argued that the quality of the first touch made everything possible. McFadden added that it was perfectly set, meaning Oxlade-Chamberlain did not even need an extra adjustment.
“That’s a top class player,” Dalziel said. “People might think it is just an easy control, but it is the way he has taken it. The angle he created for himself.”
McFadden highlighted that it was all done in one smooth movement. Ferguson agreed, calling it a touch of class. He explained that top players do not panic in those moments because they already know what they are going to do before the ball arrives.
“The picture is in his mind,” Ferguson said. “If I get this, I know what I am doing. The touch is beautiful. He just guides it.”
McFadden stressed that defenders have no time to react when the execution is that sharp. Dalziel even compared the speed of the finish to the instinctive brilliance of Ally McCoist, noting how elite forwards can strike before a goalkeeper has time to set themselves.
Oxlade-Chamberlain may not have played since leaving Besiktas at the end of last season, but moments like this show why class never truly fades.