When Martin O’Neill handed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a start in place of the injured Callum McGregor, it was an opportunity for Celtic’s winter signing to build crucial match sharpness.
However, it nearly ended in an early bath, as Celtic secured a crucial three points against ten-man Motherwell at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon.
Even with the most fiercely biased Celtic glasses firmly on, you have to admit that Oxlade-Chamberlain was fortunate not to receive two yellow cards, or even a straight red.
The 32-year-old’s afternoon started recklessly, picking up an early yellow card for a heavy, late challenge on Elijah Just – a tackle that has left Jens Berthel Askou very annoyed.
And then later on in that half, Oxlade-Chamberlain went late on Ibrahim Said, but escaped a second booking, before showing signs of improvement after returning to the XI after being benched for Celtic’s win over Rangers last time out.
Of course, in the game’s other big call, Celtic were rightfully awarded a penalty in the second half, for which Emmanuel Longelo was given a straight red for holding from a corner, after a VAR check.
- READ MORE: Five things we learned as Celtic pass Motherwell test with flying colours from Yang and Maeda
Massive three points. Your instant thoughts…
Who impressed you for Celtic against Motherwell?
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s numbers during Celtic’s win over Motherwell
Living dangerously, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s lack of true Premiership pace was exposed during moments in the match, and for those two challenges against a Motherwell side that knows how to press without the ball.
Arriving just a fraction too late, he clumsily brought down Said right on the edge of the penalty area. The collective intake of breath around the stadium was audible, but the referee opted against brandishing a second yellow, granting the midfielder a let-off.
It was a stark reminder that while the former Premier League star is steadily improving, his legs are still catching up to his footballing brain.
However, having miraculously survived that first-half scare, how did he actually perform as Celtic boosted their title chances? Let’s dive into the underlying numbers…
- Minutes played: 78
- Yellow cards: 1
- Total shots: 1
- Hit the woodwork: 1
- Accurate passes in the opposition half: 16/17
- Accurate Long balls: 4/5
- Touches: 47
- Unsuccessful touches: 1
- Was fouled: 1
- Possession lost: 6
- Carries: 10
- Total carrying distance: 74.3 m
- Sofascore rating: 6.5
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