MARTIN O’NEILL insists Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on his way to join Celtic.
The interim-manager revealed the agreement is just about done and the former Arsenal, Liverpool and England midfielder is heading for the champions.
O’Neill admitted: “I spoke to him this morning. I think he wants to come and I believe he is coming.
“I would have assumed he’s got a number of options. I think there was even talk about Arsenal, where he’s training, might take him on because they might pick up a couple of injuries.
“I’m delighted that he’s going to come, so he says.”
O’Neill also expressed confidence that the formality of a medical will be completed and a contract signed imminently.
RED ALERT…Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates scoring for England in the 2-2 draw with Scotland at Hampden in June 2017.
The 73-year-old Irishman reckons Oxlade-Chamberlain’s decision was significantly influenced by Celtic’s reputation and, speaking to Sky Sports, stated: “I think the football club itself probably has convinced him more than anything else.”
However, O’Neill did provide a caveat that could yet see a u-turn in the player’s thinking.
Referring to the current Scottish climate, the stand-in gaffer added: “We might be having this conversation in 36 hours.
“He might come up here, see what the weather’s like, and disappear back down again.”
The 32-year-old experienced campaigner, who cost Liverpool £35million when he signed from Arsenal in the summer of 2017, has been a free agent since being released by Turkish outfit Besiktas in late August last year.
His brief exile from the game will end with his shift to Celtic.
Oxlade-Chamberlain will become the Hoops’ sixth winter recruit.
He follows the deadline day captures of winger Joel Mvuka, striker Junior Adamu and centre-back Benjamin Arthur after the earlier loan arrivals of right-back Julian Araujo and attack-leader Tomas Cvancara.
🗣️ “I spoke to him this morning. I think he wants to come, and I think he’s coming.”
Martin O’Neill says he is “delighted” after confirming ex-Arsenal and Liverpool player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will join the club, with a medical set for over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/kW4D5Oi1It
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 6, 2026
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