It was worth the wait for Celtic fans.
After a mixed January transfer window for Celtic, the club signed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a free transfer after the window shut, and there was a sense of excitement in the air.
All that build-up and hype resulted in Oxlade-Chamberlain netting a winner against Livingston, and shutting up those critics who questioned his worth.
When you have two Rangers pundits – Derek Ferguson and Gordon Dalziel – lauding the former Arsenal and Liverpool man, then you know something is right.
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hailed as ‘top-class’ after Celtic winner against Livingston
The Open Goal panel had an interesting discussion around Oxlade-Chamberlain’s finish against Livingston, and how he went about it.
Remember, this was a pressurised situation. Celtic are dropping points in the title race to the bottom-table club, and they are also in stoppage time.
Therefore, the likes of Dalziel, Ferguson, James McFadden, Paul Slane and Si Ferry were left in awe at just how easy Oxlade-Chamberlain made his touch and finish look.
Dalziel explained that it’s already proven that the England international is a ‘top-class’ player, because there were suggestions that he has lost a bit of spark.
Yes, the 32-year-old hasn’t played since the end of last season when he was at Besiktas, but class is permanent for a reason.
Si Ferry: “You (Paul Slane) cheered in the stands (from Fir Park) when the goal went in (from Oxlade-Chamberlain at Parkhead). The Ox.”
Paul Slane: “What a goal.”
James McFadden: “Oh, what a goal.”
Gordon Dalziel: “I have got to say, Chamberlain’s goal. See his touch.”
Slane: “Amazing, wasn’t it?”
McFadden: “I don’t know if anybody else scores that.”
Dalziel: “Because his touch is…”
McFadden: “Where it needs to be.”
Dalziel: “Incredible.”
McFadden: “He doesn’t need to move.”
Dalziel: “That’s a top-class player. You can see that right away. People will go, ‘Oh, it’s just an easy control.’ It’s the way he has taken it. His angle, and he has opened that angle up.”
McFadden: “It’s one move. One movement.”
Derek Ferguson: “It’s a wee touch of class. When you are talking about the good players, the top players, they don’t panic. They know exactly what they are doing. The picture is in his mind. If I get this, I know what I am doing.
“The touch. The touch is beautiful, isn’t it? He just guides it. He knows what he is doing.”
McFadden: “There is no chance to adjust. For a defender, you can’t get out unless you are on him. Before it comes, he knows what he is doing. Touch goes perfectly for him.”
Dalziel: “He probably was by the goalie before the goalie stepped. You know who used to be brilliant at that? McCoist. See, sometimes you see the goalie, they come out and set. Coisty used to hit it that quickly before the ball was by them.”
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