Chris Sutton criticized the Celtic star for playing the Rangers game as if it were a ‘testimonial’.

Celtic icon Chris Sutton did not hold back in his assessment of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after the midfielder endured a difficult afternoon in the latest Glasgow derby against Rangers.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s first taste of the fierce rivalry proved to be unforgiving. Martin O’Neill handed Celtic’s winter recruit a starting role at Ibrox on Sunday, but the decision was reversed at half-time. The midfielder lasted just 45 minutes before being substituted, a move that underlined the struggles he faced in coping with the tempo and aggression of the fixture.

Prior to kick-off, Sutton had already voiced concerns about Celtic’s midfield balance. Watching events unfold in the opening period only strengthened his belief that the Hoops were vulnerable in that area. In particular, he felt Oxlade-Chamberlain failed to grasp the intensity required for such an occasion.

Speaking about the performance, Sutton remarked that he had flagged the midfield as a potential weakness before the game. He suggested that Oxlade-Chamberlain looked unable to adjust to the speed and physicality of proceedings, adding that it almost appeared as though the player had mistaken the occasion for something far less competitive. According to Sutton, the derby demanded far more urgency and bite than the midfielder displayed.

Ultimately, O’Neill’s decision to introduce Reo Hatate at the interval proved decisive. The Japanese international not only altered the momentum of the contest but also found the net to bring Celtic level. His arrival injected energy, purpose and control into a side that had been second best during the opening 45 minutes.

For Oxlade-Chamberlain, the experience served as a harsh lesson in what the Glasgow derby entails. The former England international has enjoyed a decorated career, representing major clubs in England, collecting silverware, competing in the Champions League and even testing himself abroad. However, Sutton implied that none of that pedigree mattered when confronted with the unique ferocity of Rangers versus Celtic.

The ex-striker, speaking on Sky Sports Football on 01/03/26, praised Hatate’s influence and suggested the substitute demonstrated exactly how to approach a fixture of this magnitude. Sutton described the match as an odd encounter that, in many ways, reflected the inconsistent campaigns both sides have experienced.

He noted that Celtic were physically overpowered in the first half and reiterated his earlier concerns about the midfield setup. In his view, Oxlade-Chamberlain simply could not operate at the necessary speed. Sutton repeated his pointed comparison, saying it looked as though the midfielder treated the contest like a testimonial rather than a high-stakes derby.

Sutton also acknowledged that Hatate himself has endured a frustrating season and, at times, appeared out of sorts. Yet on this occasion, the Japanese playmaker reminded supporters of his quality. Once introduced, he seized control of proceedings, dictating play and driving Celtic forward. The shift in dominance was stark: of Celtic’s 17 attempts at goal, 16 arrived after the break, underlining the dramatic turnaround.

O’Neill, Sutton suggested, would be immensely satisfied with the team’s response in the second half. While the final outcome may have had implications for other Scottish Premiership sides such as Hearts and Motherwell, the focus remained firmly on how Celtic recovered from a shaky start.

Statistically, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contribution paints a picture of a player struggling to leave his mark. In 45 minutes, he failed to register a shot and recorded 25 touches. Although he completed 11 of his 14 passes and managed one successful dribble, he lost possession nine times and won none of his two attempted tackles. He contributed one key pass and delivered one accurate cross from four attempts, while also making two defensive recoveries. His overall Sofascore rating of 6.5 reflected a largely underwhelming display.

Coming into the derby, Oxlade-Chamberlain had been absent from Celtic’s midweek clash with VfB Stuttgart in the Europa League due to not being registered in the European squad. That meant he entered the Rangers encounter relatively fresh. However, a lack of consistent game time since the end of last season may have contributed to the rustiness evident in his performance.

Looking ahead, questions naturally arise about his role in the upcoming fixtures against Aberdeen and another Scottish Cup meeting with Rangers. After such a challenging introduction to Scotland’s most intense rivalry, it would hardly be surprising if O’Neill opted for alternative midfield options in the immediate future.