Celtic manager Martin O’Neill reveals he has spoken with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain | OneFootball

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has revealed that he has held talks with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after the former Arsenal star was linked with the Hoops.

The Englishman is a free agent and Celtic are one of the clubs keen on signing him.

Oxlade-Chamberlain can still sign for clubs even though the winter transfer window ended yesterday, and the Bhoys want to bring him to the Scottish Premiership.

However, O’Neill is not confident of Celtic’s chances of pipping other suitors to the 32-year-old.

“He has been training at Arsenal since his time in Turkey (ended),” the Hoops boss said.

“I’ve spoken to him and he’s got lots of options, some closer to London too.

“I’d be very interested in doing a deal but as I said, I’m surprised teams haven’t already teed him up.

“As he’s been training with Arsenal for a considerable length of time, while it’s not match fitness, he is fit. But he’s got loads of options.”

Super Lig club Besiktas terminated his contract last August and Oxlade-Chamberlain has since featured for Arsenal under-21s and the first-team in behind-closed-doors friendly games.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta refused to rule out a move for him when asked yesterday whether the North London club could sign him.

Adding such a player to their ranks would be huge for Celtic given the experience and quality he brings to the table.

They will be offering him European football and a chance to win domestic silverware regularly, but it remains to be seen whether a move appeals to him.

The Hoops signed five players on loan during the window, with Tomas Cvancara, Julian Araujo, Junior Adamu, Joel Mvuka, and Benjamin Arthur joining them from Borussia Monchengladbach, Bournemouth, SC Freiburg, Lorient and Brentford, respectively.

Adam Montgomery was also recalled from his loan spell at Livingston, and Celtic will fancy their chances of beating Hearts and Rangers to the league title after bolstering their squad.