ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN suffocated on his derby debut at Ibrox on Sunday and didn’t reappear for the second-half with Celtic struggling two goals adrift.
The former Arsenal, Liverpool and England international midfielder, who joined Celtic as a free agent last month, got swept up in the intensity of the no-holds-barred encounter.
However, Martin O’Neill was not one bit surprised the occasion proved to be overwhelming for the player who was released by Turkish outfit Besiktas in September.
Oxlade-Chamberlain had been an overnight sensation with the Hoops fans when he swept in the stoppage-time winner against Livingston with the score tied at 1-1 in the fading moments after being introduced just 11 minutes earlier as a substitute.
PLEASED AS PUNCH…Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates Celtic’s 3-2 stoppage-time victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Looking at the derby new Bhoy’s display in Govan where the visitors fought back to draw 2-2, O’Neill admitted: “I think that was understandable.
“This might sound ridiculous as Alex has played big, big games throughout his career.
“But when you haven’t played for some time and are then thrown into that, the game is helter-skelter and so it was difficult for him in moments.”
The interim gaffer, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “He showed a little bit of class here and there, but overall I thought it was difficult. But again, he’ll settle it each day as he does more training.
“He’ll get used to it. I’m hoping so. Absolutely. If he doesn’t kick another goal for us, he’s already played some part in that goal he scored against Livingston.
“But I’d be hoping for a bit more over the next 10 games.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain could play a part off the bench in tonight’s crucial encounter against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and best action images from Aberdeen v Celtic this evening – only in your champion CQN.
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