Imagine a football team snatching victory from the jaws of defeat not once, not twice, but three times in a single week. That's the story of Celtic right now, and it's got everyone talking. Is this the return of the Celtic spirit that once dominated Scottish football?
Last weekend, they were staring down the barrel 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 points at home to Livingston, only for new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to score a dream debut winner—again, in the 90th minute. And this weekend? Kilmarnock seemed destined for a well-deserved point until Julian Araujo's stunning strike in overtime sealed the deal.
But here's where it gets controversial: Are these last-gasp victories a sign of a truly resilient team, or are they simply getting lucky? For some, it's a throwback to Ange Postecoglou's title-winning side, known for their relentless spirit. For Martin O'Neill, it's a trip down memory lane to his own glory days, when Celtic legends like Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton, and John Hartson dominated the pitch, securing multiple titles and even a UEFA Cup final appearance.
"These lads are emulating that spirit and sometimes surpassing it," O'Neill told BBC Scotland. And he's not wrong. Celtic have 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 rebranding 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. It's a testament to the sheer determination of these Glasgow giants.
Yet, it hasn’t been a smooth season for either club. Both sacked their managers, and Heart of Midlothian took advantage, leading the table since September. But Celtic's recent resurgence, fueled by late-game heroics, is slowly closing the gap. "The spirit the players have shown has been absolutely fantastic," O'Neill added. "Sometimes you just have to dig in—and that's exactly what we did."
Celtic's board has faced criticism for their recruitment this season, but recent signings are proving their worth. Adamu, Tounekti, Araujo, and Oxlade-Chamberlain have all made immediate impacts, with O'Neill's halftime introductions often proving to be masterstrokes. Yet, O'Neill isn't blind to the flaws. "We were very poor in the first half," he admitted. "You can't keep doing that. We've got to put in the full 90 minutes."
Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner echoed this sentiment, harking back to the 1987-88 championship-winning team: "They know now that the game isn't 90 minutes—it's 96-97 minutes. You keep going, even if you're not playing brilliantly."
Former Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell pointed out the fine margins: "Small margins are going Celtic's way right now. They don't stop, and you see the togetherness in the team and the fans."
With Rangers staging their own comeback to beat Hearts 4-2, the title race is tighter than ever. Just three points separate the top three contenders, with Celtic holding a game in hand. How many more stoppage-time winners will decide the destiny of the silverware? And more importantly, is this Celtic side truly championship material, or are they riding a wave of luck? Let us know what you think in the comments—this debate is far from over.
