Celtic have always had a habit of scoring late goals.
But this season, it’s becoming more of a routine than a habit, particularly since the return of Martin O’Neill.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s debut goal against Livingston on Saturday was Celtic’s second injury-time decider in just four days.
Looking back to earlier in the season, the Hoops have also left it late against Aberdeen under Wilfried Nancy, St Mirren in O’Neill’s first spell and Kilmarnock under Brendan Rodgers… Those are just three more examples.
It’s chaotic stuff, but when it sickens your title rivals, it absolutely makes the nerves worthwhile.
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Ally McCoist on Celtic winner vs Livingston
Wednesday night was an especially painful one for Rangers fans, with Celtic’s late winner coinciding with Hoops loanee Stephen Welsh snatching a win away from the Ibrox side at Fir Park.
And when Ally McCoist reacted to it with Alan Brazil, he couldn’t hide his pain.
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On talkSPORT on Friday, McCoist was video calling from his enormous driveway in Bridge of Weir and Brazil asked him: “What do you make of Ibrox [on Sunday] then? This is a big one.”
McCoist couldn’t hide his anguish, saying: “What a game, lads. Celtic… you boys did your usual, you scored in the 184th minute of the game.
“Congratulations, to get your winner… fantastic, mate. Rangers lost one in the 90th minute, which was a major disappointment.
“What I said to you, Alan… I’m looking at Arsenal’s result at Brentford [1-1]. Yes, there’s disappointment for Rangers at Motherwell…
“But is it a bad result? You saw what Motherwell did to Celtic, you saw what Motherwell are doing to most teams at this moment in time…
“They lost a man in the second half, but I’ll tell you right now: any team going to Motherwell, you’re probably settling for a point at this moment in time.”
On Celtic being bookies’ favourites for the title, McCoist said: “I think they’ve probably made Celtic favourites, at this moment in time, because you look at the game at the weekend, and something’s got to give with the Rangers-Hearts game.
“I get that. But it wouldn’t surprise me again on Monday morning if whoever wins the Hearts game could be favourites. It’s so tight, I’ve got to say.”
Sum up Stephen Welsh in one word after he provides Celtic with a helping hand…
Celtic’s upcoming fixtures before the split
There are plenty more twists and turns to come, particularly when you look at Celtic’s remaining fixtures before the split.
The Hoops don’t face Hearts before the split, but after travelling to Kilmarnock on Sunday, they’ll face Hibs at Celtic Park.
A rescheduled clash with Aberdeen is then sandwiched between two seismic trips to Ibrox, with the league meeting coming before the Scottish Cup tie.
After that, high-flying Motherwell come to Celtic Park. It’s relentless stuff.
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