CELTIC were within three seconds of going out of the Scottish Cup before Junior Adamu struck with the equaliser against Dundee at Parkhead on Saturday.
Sebastian Tounekti capped the remarkable comeback with the winner within two minutes of extra-time.
And it took an eye catching strike from another new Bhoy, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, in the first minute of added-on time to hand the champions three points following a nervy 2-1 victory over struggling Livingston at the same venue in midweek.
Martin O’Neill hopes his team do NOT have to stage yet another late, late show when they face a resurgent Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday afternoon.
LATE, LATE SHOW…Junior Adamu flicks in the last-gasp equaliser in Celtic’s 2-1 Scottish Cup triumph over Dundee at Parkhead on Saturday.
The 73-year-old interim manager said: “If those late goals did prove resilience and a bit of character, then that’s great.
“But I don’t think you can live on your nerves for the rest of the time like that, expecting or hoping that you’re going to dig out a winner very late on.
“It’s not plausible.”
Asked about what he was expecting against Neil McCann’s side, who have beaten Aberdeen 3-0 and St Mirren 4-3 in their last two homes game, in the Hoops’ second visit to Ayrshire this season, O’Neill, speaking to Celtic TV, answered: “A really difficult game, obviously.
“They are on a good run of form now at this moment with changes and I really expect a difficult match.
“They’ll be up for it, no question about that.”
LATE, LATE SHOW…Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain strokes in Celtic’s points-clincher against Livingston in midweek.
The first game between the sides in mid-September was another nail-biting confrontation for the Hoops.
Daizen Maeda gave the visitors the lead in the second-half with a flying header following a delightful delivery from the left by Marcelo Saracchi.
However, David Watson levelled following slack marking at a right-wing corner-kick and that was the way the scoreline remained until six minutes into stoppage-time.
VAR instructed John Beaton to review a handball incident and the referee returned to the pitch to point to the penalty spot. Kelechi Iheanacho, who had signed on UEFA deadline day after being released by Sevilla, stepped up to thunder in the winner.
Will Celtic be forced to walk a tightrope again on Sunday? Will they be forced to complete a hat-trick of last-gasp heroics?
Watch this space!
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