MARTIN O’NEILL revealed he has held talks with free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
And the interim Hoops boss admitted he would be “very interested” in signing the former Liverpool, Arsenal and England midfielder.
The 32-year-old one-time £35million man is up for grabs after being released by Turkish club Besiktas in August last year.
Capped 35 times for his country, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been training with his ex-London club as he attempts to boost fitness levels in his search for a new club.
HAMPDEN MARKSMAN…Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates scoring for England in their 2-2 draw with Scotland in June 2017.
O’Neill took time off preparations for tomorrow night’s crucial Premiership encounter with Aberdeen at Pittodrie and said: “I’ve spoken to him, but I’m sure he has plenty of options, maybe closer to London.
“I’d be very interested in doing it. I’m surprised people haven’t taken him up.
“I think he was very excited about what we were saying. He knows all about the club.”
O’Neill, speaking to Sky Sports, added: “He is a big friend of Joe Hart and Joe has spoken to him.
“It’s something we’re interested in, but if it doesn’t materialise, it doesn’t materialise.”
The champions, who rejected a £25million bid for Arne Engels from Nottingham Forest on deadline day, also completed three loan deals with striker Junior Adamu (SC Freiburg), winger Joel Mvuka (Lorient) and defender Benjamin Arther (Brentford).
They will team up with fellow-loan recruits Mexico international right-back Julian Araujo (Bournemouth) and Czech Republic frontman Tomas Cvancara (Borussia Monchengladbach) for the rest of the season.
O’Neill added: “It’s nice to get a few people in. I think they can help.”
EX-GER COULD SCUPPER CELTIC MOVE FOR £35m MAN
WANT TO KNOW A SECRET? Celtic Confidential is the stunning new book that brings the exclusive inside stories behind the headlines. Alex Gordon’s sixteenth Celtic book is available NOW. Order a copy and get £5 OFF the cover price of £25. All is revealed in a sensational new publication. Just click SHOP HERE and your book will be on its way. Happy reading!
