Celtic midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is reportedly set to marry Perrie Edwards today, with the pair preparing to tie the knot in Portugal.
It is a happy personal moment for the 32-year-old, and everyone connected with Celtic will wish him well.
The former Arsenal, Liverpool and England midfielder arrived at Celtic with a big reputation and plenty of experience, but his time at Parkhead was always likely to be judged on whether he could make an impact when it mattered.
He did have his moments.
Oxlade-Chamberlain played his part in Celtic’s dramatic season, and while he was never a week-in, week-out starter, he still contributed in big moments. His goals included an important strike against Livingston, a game where Celtic needed players to step up and get the job done.
That is what supporters will remember most.
It was not always smooth. Fitness and competition for places made it difficult for him to fully nail down a role in the team. Celtic’s midfield was crowded at times, and younger players were also fighting for minutes.
But when called upon, Oxlade-Chamberlain showed flashes of the quality that took him to the top level of English football.
His experience around the squad should not be dismissed either. Celtic went through a tense run-in, and players who have been involved in title races, European nights and major dressing rooms can still have value even when they are not starting every match.
Now the question is what comes next.
Celtic have yet to confirm whether Oxlade-Chamberlain will be part of Martin O’Neill’s plans moving forward. The squad is expected to change heavily this summer, with midfield one of several areas where decisions need to be made.
At 32, Oxlade-Chamberlain will want clarity too.
He still has football left in him, but he will need the right role, the right minutes and a manager who sees a clear place for him.
For now, though, the football questions can wait.
Today is a day for congratulations, and Oxlade-Chamberlain can enjoy a special personal milestone before attention turns back to what comes next in his career.
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