Celtic secured a 1-0 win over St Mirren as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain delivered after scoring the goal that settled the match, underlining his growing importance to the team.
Celtic’s win over the Buddies was one that Martin O’Neill was not impressed by, but the Hoops boss was over the moon with Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contribution to the victory.
There has been a focus on his return to fitness, but the performance itself showed a player already operating at the level required.
O’Neill told Sky Sports, “Of course, he’s a really good footballer. You can see that there. You can see the way he’s with the ball, he’s a really good player trying to get up to speed with the games here at this minute.
“Been out for a long time. I think I mentioned in a previous interview, it doesn’t really matter if you’ve not had football for six-odd months, regardless of whether you’re training with a team as good as Arsenal and, yeah, just the match fitness that will help him.
“But he seems game by game when he starts, he seems to be lasting a little bit longer. But the most important that he got us the winning goal.”
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Celtic are already seeing Oxlade-Chamberlain’s quality
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s stats support what is becoming increasingly obvious on the pitch.
- 73 minutes played
- 1 goal from 0.33 xG
- 94% pass accuracy (16/17)
- 2 chances created
- 26 touches, 3 in the opposition box
- 60% ground duels won
That level of performance matters because it reflects a player comfortable in his role rather than one adjusting to it.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s ability on the ball is clear, reinforcing the point that quality has never been the issue.
This is a player who is already influencing games despite the overall Celtic performance against St Mirren being poor.
Celtic’s decision is already paying off despite the wait
The decisive moment came through Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal, a return supported by 0.33 expected goals and delivered in a tight match that required a difference.
Lasting 73 minutes and winning 60% of his ground duels, this is a clear indication that the physical side of the Celtic midfielder’s game is progressing.
Celtic are now not waiting for Oxlade-Chamberlain’s potential to be realised, they are already seeing the Hoops star deliver in key moments in this title race.
The goal against St Mirren did not change the narrative, it confirmed it as this was Oxlade-Chamberlain’s second winning goal since joining Celtic in February.
The quality is already there, and the only remaining step is the final layer of match fitness catching up.
That is not uncertainty, it is a process that is clearly moving in the right direction.
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