CELTIC 2 LIVINGSTON 1
THE writers of fiction could not have concocted such a storyline as the one enjoyed by debutant Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Parkhead tonight.
With the game tied at 1-1, the former England international midfielder, who had come on as a late substitute, stepped into the limelight with a stoppage-time winner to send the home fans into a frenzy.
It was something from Roy of the Rovers comic books as Oxlade-Chamberlain played in his first competitive game since May 11 last year.
Sebastian Tounekti set up the opportunity with a run down the left and a pass inside.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was lurking on the edge of the box to receive the pass before curling an exquisite right-foot drive into the net for the goal that brought three precious points to the champions on the night Martin O’Neill celebrated his 200th game in charge of the club.
And to make it an even more memorable evening, news came through from Fir Park that on-loan Celt Stephen Welsh had scored late in the game to give 10-man Motherwell a 1-1 draw with Rangers.
PARADISE FOUND…Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hits the winner on his Celtic debut.
It was an anxious finish, but Celtic should never have waited until the first minute of added-on time to settle this encounter.
They had taken the lead through Marcelo Saracchi in the 15th minute before the opponents were allowed to draw level in the second-half with a penalty-kick.
The Hoops came out the traps at whirlwind pace and keeper Jerome Prior made THREE saves inside the opening six minutes.
In truth, the gallant French netminder shouldn’t have had an earthly with two of the attempts, from Daizen Maeda and Tomas Cvancara.
Callum McGregor was the first to test Prior in the fourth minute with a sweeping low shot after a pass inside from the left by Maeda, but the netminder sprawled to push the effort to safety.
Moments later, Maeda squandered a great chance when he hit the ball straight at the Livi No.1 after a cross had dropped at his feet smack in front of goal.
McGregor then picked out Cvancara with a superb through pass and the Czech Republic international frontman pulled the ball down with delightful ease, but spoiled the movement by smashing his shot off Prior.
The Hoops almost paid a heavy price in the ninth minute when the defence didn’t deal with a long throw-in from the left and the ball fell to Stevie May who walloped a shot goalwards.
Kasper Schmeichel had to display lightning reflexes to fist the ball clear.
Within a matter of seconds the ball was at the other end of the pitch, but Tounekti’s drive lacked precision and once again Prior was allowed to block the attempt.
That was followed by an angled drive from Benjamin Nygren which was pushed to the right by the overworked shotstopper. It was diverted to Maeda who threw himself forward to get his head to the deflection and his effort was scrambled off the line.
Something had to give and, thankfully, it did in the 15th minute from the unlikely source of on-loan Uruguayan Saracchi. And it was a belter!
Arne Engels’ right-wing corner-kick was knocked away by a frantic visiting defender and the clearance fell to the feet of the left-back just outside the penalty area.
Saracchi took a touch and then launched an unstoppable drive from 20 yards high into the net with the keeper stranded.
Engels went down in the 29th minute with what looked like a muscle injury before he hirpled off. The Hoops played with 10 men before Reo Hatate came on three minutes later.
The champions lost their momentum all the way to the interval much to the relief of their opponents.
Five minutes into a second-half that was already turning into a procession for the hosts, Tounekti whipped over an inviting cross from the right, but, unfortunately, Liam Scales’ elevation was wayward and his header soared high over the bar.
Cvancara was putting himself about, but he was just too slow to capitalise on the half-chances that were coming his way.
Unbelievably, Livi equalised with a Robbie Muirhead penalty-kick in the 57th minute after referee Calum Scott, who had already booked Scales and McGregor, was quick to point to the spot after Hatate was adjudged to have fouled an opponent after dodgy timing at a clearance.
The grateful opponent thumped the award down the middle as Schmeichel took off for his left.
SMILES BETTER…joy Bhoy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after his winner.
Kieran Tierney and Junior Adamu were introduced to the action in the 61st minute for Saracchi and the ineffective Cvancara.
The pattern of the game became very scrappy as the home side found the greatest difficulty in regaining control, much to the frustration of the home fans.
Match official Scott was also the target for some of the support’s ire following a sequence of strange decisions.
It was only a matter of time before O’Neill took a gamble to reinvigorate his team and Oxlade-Chamberlain came on for his debut as he replaced Julian Araujo and Maeda made way for James Forrest in the 79th minute.
And the scene was set for a dramatic finish and the new Bhoy didn’t disappoint as he provided the points-clincher with an impeccable finish.
Welcome to Paradise, Alex!
TEAM: Schmeichel; Araujo (sub: Oxlade-Chamberlain 79), Trusty, Scales, Saracchi (sub: Tierney 61); Engels (sub: Hatate 32), McGregor, Nygren; Tounekti, Cvancara (sub: Adamu 61), Maeda (sub: Forrest 79).
