What a week it has been for Celtic after wins over Dundee and Livingston, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain stealing the latest show to the delight of Callum McGregor.
It’s been the story of the debutants, with Junior Adamu showcasing his goalscoring power in the Scottish Cup over the weekend, and now Oxlade-Chamberlain.
On Wednesday night, Celtic beat Livingston right at the death, thanks to Oxlade-Chamberlain’s curling effort after Martin O’Neill had brought him off the bench in the 78th minute.
McGregor has seen it all during his days at Parkhead, and he made sure to give Oxlade-Chamberlain his flowers this time around.
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Callum McGregor reacts to Celtic’s win over Livingston and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s winner
Speaking to Celtic TV after the match, McGregor called Oxlade-Chamberlain’s strike ‘unbelievable’ and said that he showcased ‘big quality.’
The Hoops are now six points behind Premiership leaders Hearts, with a game in hand, as McGregor used one word to describe the three points
“Huge (three points),” said McGregor. “We just keep banging the door down, and obviously, Alex gets an unbelievable goal. Big quality. But the team are fighting right until the end.
“We should be out of sight by half-time, to be honest. It’s another good sign that the team keeps going, keep going. Scoring so many late goals. It’s just a testament to the mentality of the group.
“It’s hard when there are 11 bodies plus nine of your own trying to score. Teams are flooding the box. You have to keep working it. Really patient. The goal is a perfect example. Everyone is dropping deep. They cut back, and what a finish.”
McGregor on the message inside the Celtic dressing room
Celtic are playing every three days, from now until the international break in March, and it’s going to be a serious test for the whole squad and its depth in quality.
But the champions of Scotland aren’t shying away from it; in fact, they are embracing it, as McGregor alluded to.
The Celtic skipper explained that ‘we have to keep going’ and ‘every three days is the message’, as the Hoops compete in the Premiership title race, Scottish Cup and the Europa League.
“We have to keep getting better,” added McGregor. “Score early goals, and try to take away that nervy ending. I think it’s a really positive sign that the amount of late goals the team has scored.
“We have to just keep going. Every three days is the message. As Alex said, the supporters have such a big part to play. We need everyone pushing in the right direction.
“It’s going to be a real slog, right until the international break. You have to keep winning games. No matter how, just keep winning them. Once we get to those last six weeks, we are right in it and chasing it down.”
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