Celtic ace names key trio helping him understand Parkhead history amid Liverpool and Arsenal comparisons
Celtic matchwinner ready to absorb club history book in order succeed
He may have been a serial trophy winner during spells at Liverpool and Arsenal, but Celtic matchwinner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain admits little could have prepared him for the intensity of the Scottish Premiership title race.
The 32-year-old scored the only goal of the game in the east end of Glasgow as the defending champions edged out relegation-threatened St Mirren 1-0 to remain three points behind leaders Hearts at the top of the table. Martin O’Neill’s side are now up to second in the Scottish Premiership with rivals Rangers not playing until Sunday afternoon.
His second goal since his arrival, the experienced playmaker hadn’t played competitively for over six months upon his arrival in January, but feels like his match fitness is improving with each passing game and believes the team has what it takes to win their remaining games to retain their Scottish Premiership crown.
“We are still in the race, right up there,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain. “We just focus on ourselves. Every game we want to win. Then let the rest take care of itself. If you get side-tracked looking at others around you then it can affect you. We control our own performances and results. Even through periods where we’ve not picked up results we wanted, or performed well we are still in with a chance. We are not going to lie down.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain also lifted the lid on the history lessons he has been receiving from three of the club’s longest-serving stars since his arrival three months ago, confessing that his previous experiences across the border in the English Premier League aren’t comparable to the experience he’s had in the opening months of his Celtic career.
“First and foremost lads that have experience who have done it before, they’re the boys I look to,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain. “Callum [McGregor}, Jamsey [Forrest}, KT [Kieran Tierney], lads like that. Speaking to them, getting their experiences of different stadiums when we go away and what to expect. They are the boys who have been there and done that. It’s a great thing to have in the changing room. We have a lot of young lads as well that are just excited and looking forward to the challenge.
“The experienced boys here are so important,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain. “Coming to this club, with so much history, no matter what you have done in your career, you have to understand this club and how things are. You have to understand the history and I have the ultimate respect for these boys and I learn off them. I integrate with them and then help in any way I can.
"I learn off Cal [Callum McGregor] and how he does things, how he talks about games and what we need to expect. I take as much as I can from them and I have had to get up to speed quickly. It's different up here. The derby was different but that was a great experience and those boys help prepare you for those situations. We have enough people in the building to get things done but every game is like a cup final at this point. All we can do is win them all and see where it leaves us.”
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