Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed he’s had talks with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain over a potential move to Parkhead.
Celtic who signed only loan deals in the January window, five to be exact are now looking at the possibility of bringing the former Arsenal and liverpool man in for the rest of the season.
The former England international is currenlty training with Arsenal has he looks for his next club in the game.
Asked about the potential and the legitmacy of the deadline gossip, O’Neill was straight to the point.
He said on Celtic TV: “I do like him.
“He has been training at Arsenal for since his time in Turkey.
“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 consider length of time, while it’s not match fitness, he is fit.”
Asked if Alex was receptive to the chat and the possibility of him wanting to move north of the border the Irishman said: “I think he was very excited about what we were saying. He’s a big friend of Joe Hart & he speaks to him, so he knows all about the club.”
Celtic’s recruitment has been a shambles for a number of years now, with the January window illustrating things perfectly. There was no real plan other than ask around and hope for the best, they secured five loan signings, guys who might not be here beyond May in the hope of it being enough to win the title.
It’s hope over proper planning.
AOC would fall into the same sort of category, a player who happens to be a free agent but will likely take three months to get up to speed and match fitness before really getting going. Celtic don’t have that luxury.
There’s no doubt he is a good player, still at 32, but his injury record and lack of game time means he’s not going to have a massive effect on things should Celtic get him through the door.
If the Englishman has other options closer to home, they will most likley be more lucrative than what Celtic will offer. However, if he did make the switch, it would be interesting.
