Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has arrived in Glasgow ahead of his medical at Celtic | OneFootball

Sky Sports this morning has reported that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has arrived in Glasgow ahead of his medical at Celtic…

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain of Besiktas controls the ball during the Turkish Super League match between Besiktas and Goztepe on April 3, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

Martin O’Neill yesterday revealed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to complete a move to Celtic, with a medical scheduled for today. The former England international has now arrived in the city and all going well will complete his move to Celtic later today.

However, the former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder has NOT be registered for the club’s Europa League campaign. The 32-year-old free agent has reportedly agreed terms on a contract until the end of the season after discussions with O’Neill in recent days.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been without competitive football since leaving Besiktas in May, though he has been maintaining his fitness by training with his former club Arsenal.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks on prior to during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on January 27, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

O’Neill believes the experienced England international – who has earned 35 caps – could provide a significant boost to Celtic’s midfield once fully match fit.

Speaking via Celtic’s official YouTube channel* ahead of the Hoops’ Scottish Cup tie against Dundee, Martin O’Neill said: “I spoke to him this morning. I think he wants to come and I think he’s coming.”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain attends a training session of Arsenal FC ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal FC and SK Slavia Praha at Sobha Realty Training Centre on November 03, 2025 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images)

“I would have assumed he’s had a number of options. I think there was even talk that Arsenal might take him on because they might pick up a couple of injuries.”

“So I’m delighted that he’s going to come. I think he’s doing a medical and all being well, I’m hoping that he signs on.”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain attends a training session of Arsenal FC ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal FC and SK Slavia Praha at Sobha Realty Training Centre on November 03, 2025 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images)

Ex-Celtic fans favourite Joe Hart is understood to have played a key role in encouraging his former England colleague to make the move to the Scottish champions.

When asked about Hart’s influence, O’Neill responded: “I think the football club itself probably has convinced him more than anything else.”

“If indeed it is convincing. We might be having this conversation in 36 hours and he might come up here, see what the weather’s like and disappear back down again quite easily! There are a few who have done that in the past!”

“He’s been training, if everything is to be believed, with Arsenal. Well, at this minute Arsenal are one of the strongest teams in Europe. So if he’s training with high-quality players, it can only be a benefit to him.”

“If they even thought about taking him on as a backup, probably not playing for them at any stage because they’ve got so many good players, it says a lot about him.”

“He’s got a bit of quality. It’s whether he has the fitness and the desire. I think the desire should be there. It’s a matter of how quickly he gets up to speed.”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Norwich City and Liverpool at Carrow Road on September 21, 2021. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

Oxlade-Chamberlain arrived too late to be included in Celtic’s Europa League squad for Thursday’s deadline, missing the registration cut-off.

Instead, O’Neill opted to register January arrivals Julian Araujo, Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu for the Stuttgart clash, while Callum Osmand, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Johnny Kenny were omitted from the squad.

O’Neill added: “I think there might be a bit of a disappointment there from Alex’s viewpoint, wanting to show what he can do in the European stage.”

“But, you know, we had to press on. But if he can get up to speed, I do believe that he has got the desire, he wants to do well. He’s 32, which is, in this day and age, really no age whatsoever for players who look after themselves.”

Michel-Ange Balikwisha- Auchinleck Talbot v Celtic, Scottish Cup 4th Round, Rugby Park. Sunday 18 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou ( The Celtic Star)

On the three players dropping out of the Europa League squad – Callum Osmand is injured and doesn’t look like coming back perhaps until next season. Johnny Kenny left in the transfer window to join Bolton Wanderers on loan and summer signing Michel-Ange Balikwisha has completely dropped out of the picture at Celtic and very much looks like a player we’ll have to cut our losses with in the simmer by offloading him on the cheap.

Chris McKay and Paul Tisdale, Motherwell v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. 30 December 2025 Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Paul Tisdale? What’s he like…

*The Celtic Star is one of a number of fam media sites who remained on the rota working with the club until they imposed a ban after the formation of the Celtic Fans Collective in September after the summer transfer window closed.

Celtic interim Chairman Brian Wilson looks on during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on February 01, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

There has been no contact from the club since and specifically none in recent days after interim Chairman Brian Wilson’s interview on Celtic TV.

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order

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