The Celtic spirit is alive and kicking, and it’s sending shivers down the spines of fans who remember the glory days. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this current squad truly emulating the legendary teams of the past, or are they surpassing them in ways we’re only beginning to understand? Let’s dive in.
For the third time in just one week, Celtic snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, leaving fans and critics alike in awe. Last weekend, they were on the brink of a Scottish Cup exit until Junior Adamu’s 90th-minute equalizer and Sebastian Tounekti’s extra-time winner secured their quarter-final spot. Fast forward to Wednesday, and they were seconds away from dropping a league point at home to Livingston, only for new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to deliver a dream debut goal—again, in the 90th minute. And this time, against Kilmarnock, Julian Araujo’s stunning strike in overtime sealed what could have been a costly draw.
For some, these last-gasp victories echo the relentless nature of Ange Postecoglou’s title-winning side. But for Martin O’Neill, it’s personal. It takes him back to his own golden era, when names like Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton, and John Hartson dominated Scottish football, clinching three league titles, three Scottish Cups, a League Cup, and a memorable UEFA Cup final run. “I managed a top-quality side here 20-odd years ago with loads of spirit, resilience, and ability,” O’Neill told BBC Scotland. “These lads are emulating that—and sometimes surpassing it.”
Late goals are becoming a habit for Celtic since O’Neill’s return as interim manager, following Wilfried Nancy’s short-lived tenure. They’ve now scored six winning goals in the 90th minute or later in the Premiership this season—the most by any team since the league’s rebrand in 2013. And this is the part most people miss: until Araujo’s winner, both Celtic and Rangers were tied with eight 90th-minute goals apiece this season. The Old Firm’s dramatic finishes are shaping the title race, even as Heart of Midlothian leads the table since September.
Celtic’s board has faced scrutiny this season for their recruitment, but recent signings are proving their worth. Adamu, on loan from Freiburg, saved the day against Dundee, while Tounekti’s summer arrival from Hammarby has been instrumental in cup progress. Araujo, another January loan signing from Bournemouth, and Oxlade-Chamberlain, who joined after months without a club, have already made their mark. O’Neill’s halftime introduction of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tounekti, and Tomas Cvancara against Kilmarnock was nothing short of genius.
Yet, O’Neill isn’t blind to the flaws. “We were very poor in the first half,” he admitted. “We kept giving the ball away, but the second half was totally different. You can’t keep relying on late heroics—we need to perform for the full 90 minutes.”
Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner sees parallels with the 1987-88 championship-winning team. “They know the game isn’t over until the final whistle—sometimes even beyond 96 or 97 minutes. That’s what makes a title-winning side,” he said. Meanwhile, ex-Kilmarnock keeper Cammy Bell noted, “Small margins are going Celtic’s way right now. They don’t stop, and that togetherness is what’s driving them.”
With Rangers’ own comeback win over Hearts, just three points separate the top three title contenders, and Celtic has a game in hand. Here’s the burning question: how many more stoppage-time winners will decide the fate of the silverware? And more importantly, is this Celtic side truly on the verge of greatness, or are we witnessing a fleeting moment of magic? Let us know what you think in the comments—this debate is far from over.
