ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN has scored two goals since joining Celtic as a free agent.
That double could be the difference between the champions retaining their title for the fifth successive season – or losing out in the dramatic run-in.
Oxlade-Chamberlain made a stunning first impression at the Hoops when he whipped in the stoppage-time winner against Livingston at Parkhead on February 11 – just two days after his arrival.
And the former Arsenal, Liverpool and England international supplied the timely strike in the edgy 1-0 triumph over St Mirren at the same venue yesterday.
Those goals have been the difference between two points and six points – and that will undoubtedly be crucial when the final curtain comes down on the topsy-turvy Premiership tussle on the Saturday afternoon of May 16.
BY THE LEFT…Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fires the winner past Saints keeper Shamal George.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s sweeping left-foot drive wide of the desperately clutching fingers of Saints keeper Shamal George in the 15th minute means Martin O’Neill’s men are still three points adrift of leaders Hearts who overcame Motherwell 3-1 at Tynecastle following a late controversial intervention from VAR.
The 32-year-old midfielder said defiantly: “We are still in the race and right up there.
“We want to win our games and let the rest take care of itself.
“Though there have been periods where we’ve not picked up results we wanted, we are still in with a chance. We are not going to lie down.”
The points-clinching goal hero also praised the return of the Green Brigade after their five-month ban.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Yang Hyun-jun congratulates matchwinner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, speaking to the Scottish Sun, continued: “That was my first glimpse into the power those guys have in terms of the rest of the stadium and lifting the crowd.
“They can help us get over the line in tough games. The crowd will be massive for us and it was great to see them back in.
“I could feel a real difference because I hadn’t experienced it before. The atmosphere has been great in previous games, but it was nice to have them back and it’s good for all the fanbase.”
The stylish middle-of-the-park performer added: “We went over to that small section at the end and the noise they made and the passion they showed is going to be huge for us, especially in games like that when it’s 1-0 and can be cagey.
“That’s the time when you need the fans and they can make a massive difference for us.”
PARADISE…Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates his Celtic debut with the stoppage-time winner against Livingston at Parkhead in February.
Oxlade-Chamberlain and his Celtic team-mates can now take a breather from the pursuit of points and focus on the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden a week today.
They face the Paisley side for the fifth time this season. Coincidentally, the Hoops have won all three league games 1-0, but collapsed 3-1 in the Premier Sports League Cup Final in December during Wilfried Nancy’s catastrophic 33 days in charge.
It will be a different ball-game in Celtic’s third game at the national stadium.
O’Neill enjoyed a 3-1 success over Danny Rohl’s Ibrox outfit in November in a thrilling League Cup last-four encounter.
A similar outcome at the national stadium in seven days’ time would be most welcome.
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