Celtic manager Martin O’Neill admitted relief after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s late strike secured a crucial Premiership win over Livingston at Parkhead.
The Hoops reduced the gap to Hearts to six points thanks to the dramatic finish, with the home support celebrating in relief after a tense afternoon.
Speaking to Celtic TV, O’Neill felt the contest should have been wrapped up much earlier.
“It was late again for us, but in all honesty we should have been three or four up in the first 15 minutes,” he said.
“We score once and it’s never enough. We let them back in with a penalty kick and suddenly it becomes tense.
“We kept pushing and pushing and it looked like it might not happen, then Alex produces a wonder goal. It was a brilliant goal from a very special player.”
O’Neill admitted frustration that Celtic failed to capitalise on their early dominance, pointing to missed opportunities — including a dangerous cross flashed across goal that went untouched.
He also praised Livingston’s resilience, acknowledging they remained a threat throughout and defended in numbers after equalising from the spot.
“They were never out of it,” he added. “They played to their strengths. We were trying to break down what was essentially a 10-man defence. Sometimes that takes patience.”
The victory keeps Celtic’s title hopes alive after Hearts had beaten Hibernian the previous day, while Rangers drew at Motherwell to sit just one point ahead of the Hoops.
With the season entering its decisive stage, O’Neill’s side now face a crucial run of fixtures — including a potentially defining trip to Ibrox — as they attempt to close the gap at the top.
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