Martin O'Neill has confirmed that the 32-year-old will undergo a medical on Saturday before putting pen to paper with the Hoops
16:27, 06 Feb 2026
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ready to value both on and off the pitch for Celtic.
Hoops boss Martin O'Neill confirmed that the former Arsenal and Liverpool star is to undergo a medical with the club on Saturday before signing up for the remainder of the season as the champions fight rivals Rangers and league leaders Hearts for the Scottish Premiership title.
Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn't payed any competitive football since May, and is available as a free agent since leaving Turkish giants Besiktas towards the end of 2025.
He'll need training and minutes to get up to speed and hasn't made the cut for Celtic's Europa League squad that needed to be registered ahead of their playoff showdown with VFB Stuttgart.
O'Neill insists 32 is "no age at all" in footballer terms these days, and Oxlade-Chamberlain agrees. He is adamant he is ready to contribute both on a Saturday, and in the dressing room and at training after years playing at top clubs under top managers such as Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp.
“I want to play,” he told the Athletic in December. “I’m not ready to call it quits by any means. I don’t feel old. I’ve still got that hunger to play and do well. I just want the opportunity to show what I can still do.”
“I feel like I can add value on the pitch but also show the right way to train, the right way to act on and off the pitch,” he says. “I’m in the bracket now where I’ve been lucky enough to play for top clubs, win things and work with top managers. I know a lot more now than I did when I started out.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been training with Arsenal's U21s while he searches for a new club.
Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta
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Gunners boss and former teammate Mikel Arteta hadn't ruled out signing him as an extra option for the North London club's English Premier League title charge.
That now isn't going to happen, but the rave review the Spaniard gave him should leave Celtic fans in no doubt as to the type of character they are bringing in.
One of the best characters I met in football,” said Arteta. "If we can help him and give him the space to get up to speed and the capacity to find a club, it’s a joy. I had the privilege to play with him and, if he is around, he will be a really good role model to have around the team.”
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