Celtic Boss O'Neill Confirms Oxlade-Chamberlain Medical Scheduled for Saturday
Martin O'Neill has officially announced that former England international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will undergo a medical examination on Saturday, paving the way for the midfielder to sign a short-term contract with Celtic. The 32-year-old, who has been without a club since departing Turkish side Besiktas in August, has been maintaining his fitness through training sessions with his former club Arsenal.
O'Neill Delighted as Oxlade-Chamberlain Chooses Celtic Over Other Options
Speaking ahead of Celtic's Scottish Gas Scottish Cup clash against Dundee at Parkhead, O'Neill expressed his satisfaction at securing the experienced midfielder's commitment. "I spoke to him this morning," O'Neill stated. "I think he wants to come and I think he's coming. I would have assumed he's gotten a number of options. I think there was even talk about Arsenal, where he is training, might take him on because they might pick up a couple of injuries, so I'm delighted that he's going to come, so he says."
The Celtic manager confirmed the imminent medical process, adding: "So I think he's doing a medical tomorrow and all being well, I'm hoping that he signs on. This boy is here to try and play and try and get into the team and try and get as fit as possible as quickly as possible. I think it would be nice to have him here with the squad just for at least these couple of months."
Europa League Exclusion and Timing of Arrival
Oxlade-Chamberlain's late signing means he will be ineligible for Celtic's upcoming Europa League fixtures against Stuttgart later this month. His arrival coincides with a period of significant internal turmoil at Parkhead, where a civil war has erupted between the club's board and sections of the fanbase.
Fan Protests and Boardroom Tensions Cloud Celtic Atmosphere
The English midfielder joins Celtic amidst escalating tensions, with the Celtic Fans Collective – representing hundreds of supporter groups – announcing plans for a boycott starting with the Dundee cup match. This protest stems from ongoing frustrations with the club's leadership, with demands including:
- The departure of chief executive Michael Nicholson
- The reinstatement of the banned Green Brigade ultras group
- The restoration of club access to fan media organisations
Celtic interim chairman Brian Wilson has initiated outreach to supporter groups in an attempt to foster unity, while O'Neill has called for finding "some sort of middle ground" before the situation becomes "debilitating" for the club.
Manager's Plea for Unity Amid Growing Concerns
O'Neill emphasised the importance of resolving the internal conflicts, noting: "What I would like, if it's at all possible, is some meetings which I think Mr Wilson said was going to take place, which is a big step forward. Let's find out what all the ailments are and let's see if we can rectify some of them, because going forward the club will trip itself up if that's the case. Eventually it's debilitating and it does affect people."
The manager highlighted Celtic's traditional strength in unity, expressing concern about the current divisions: "And Celtic have always prided themselves in a sort of togetherness, and it is strange, really, for it to be in this shape. So we do need the fans in. You saw Falkirk manager John McGlynn saying that the atmosphere here can turn toxic pretty quickly and that's not something you want to hear from opposition managers."
O'Neill suggested that while resolution might not come before the Dundee match, dialogue should continue: "Maybe these meetings might be too late before tomorrow's game, but if they're talking about some sort of show at Stuttgart, I think we should try and have some sort of talks before then. There has to be a middle ground somewhere along the way, as to how quickly we can reach that is probably in the lap of the Gods. But it would just be nice to know what all of the complaints are about or the club's attempt at least to rectify those."
The addition of Oxlade-Chamberlain, capped 35 times for England and with Premier League experience at Arsenal and Liverpool, represents a significant short-term boost for Celtic's midfield options. However, his arrival is overshadowed by the broader challenges facing the club as it navigates fan discontent and seeks to restore harmony at Parkhead.
