Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain triumphed with Celtic as they beat Hearts late on to clinch the Scottish Premiership in dramatic fashion.
Just four months ago, Oxlade-Chamberlain was without a club and maintaining his fitness at Arsenal, having terminated his contract at Besiktas in August.
Celtic came calling in early February, though, to offer the former Liverpool midfielder a new lease of life under interim manager Martin O’Neill.
At 32 years old, he has played just nine times since moving to Glasgow, but he still made a couple of vital contributions to their title win, not least his late winning goal in injury-time on his debut.
A historic afternoon at Celtic Park
Celtic coach Shaun Maloney celebrates with Callum McGregor following the William Hill Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday May 16, 2026.
Thanks to Wednesday’s late drama, that saw Kelechi Iheanacho convert a controversial late penalty to prevent Hearts winning the league, a final-day decider was set up in Glasgow.
Hearts were looking to become the first team other than Celtic or Rangers to win the league since Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen side of 1985, and all they needed was a point.
With Celtic needing to win on the last day, Hearts shocked Parkhead by opening the scoring thanks to Lawrence Shankland’s header from a corner, a route to goal that has become familiar for Derek McInnes’ side.
The hosts struck back quickly, though, Arne Engels netting a crucial penalty just before the break after Alexandros Kyziridis was judged to have handled the ball.
After the break, Celtic came out and dominated. The woodwork was struck and for a while it felt like the ball would never cross the line.
? Goal STANDS!
After a VAR check for offside, Celtic take a late lead over Hearts through Daizen Maeda. Now, as it stands, they’ll be champions! ? pic.twitter.com/apMfVwfQjX
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 16, 2026
However, they got their reward in the 87th minute thanks to Daizen Maeda, who broke down in tears of joy once the goal had been given.
It had initially been chalked off due to offside. However, upon review, neither he nor Callum Osmand were even close to being off.
Nervous moments awaited the Paradise faithful as Hearts thew everything at a goal that would have seen them earn the point needed to lift the title.
As the eight minutes of added time edged towards their conclusion, Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow went forward for a corner.
It was Celtic, not Hearts, though, who would score at the death, as Osmand broke from the corner and, with two teammates either side, passed into the empty net.
? “Celtic, Champions AGAIN!”
Callum Osmand ensures Celtic’s title is retained by tapping the ball into an empty net ?? pic.twitter.com/AVUZtqAIEH
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 16, 2026
Fans were jubilant and as some spilt onto the pitch, Hearts players ran off. Eventually, the referee elected to blow the full-time whistle given there were just 20 seconds left when Osmand netted.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I could experience those lads up there (lifting the trophy),” O’Neill told Sky Sports.
“The players, the coaching staff have given me a reason to live.
“This is the most special place on earth. When there is absolute unison in this stadium, it is a sight to behold.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain may not have played, but the day will live long in his memory and he will have felt right at home as Celtic Park sang You’ll Never Walk Alone in celebration.