Celtic secured a 1-0 victory over St Mirren at Celtic Park, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scoring in the 15th minute. The win keeps pressure on league leaders Hearts and temporarily places Celtic above Rangers ahead of their next match.

Green Brigade Welcomed Back

The Green Brigade ultras group returned to Celtic Park after a five-month absence, originally stemming from a six-game ban in early November that extended into December. Fans created a vibrant atmosphere during the narrow win.

O’Neill Assesses Team Performance

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill noted the team struggled, particularly with energy levels dropping early in the second half. “I thought we didn’t play very well,” O’Neill said. “The energy levels looked low. If it had been the last 10 minutes, you’re holding on, you can understand that. But it set in pretty early in the second half, which is a concern.”

He emphasized the importance of the victory despite the subpar display. “Just winning is really important, but we didn’t play well,” O’Neill added. The manager praised the crowd’s support, which prevented frustration despite loose possession. “They kept us going, a bit like against Dundee last weekend,” he said. “It felt like a real Celtic Park atmosphere.”

Fitness Updates on Key Players

Oxlade-Chamberlain, a January signing, netted the decisive goal but showed signs of fatigue. O’Neill highlighted his quality: “You can see he’s got a bit of class. This lad played for England when they had good players. It’s just a case of fitness.” Despite recent training, match minutes remain crucial. “He’s getting fitter, which is great, but he looked really tired,” the manager observed.

Midfielder Callum McGregor played through a midweek knock. “Callum had a bit of a problem during the week, but he wanted to play,” O’Neill said. “I’m delighted he did, and he got through it. We need him.”

Belgian midfielder Arne Engels made his first appearance in two months from the bench, providing stability. “Arne did really well,” O’Neill noted. “He wasn’t making lung-bursting runs but got into it. You can see why teams like Nottingham Forest showed interest before the transfer window.”