There seems to be much more to the transfer deadline day story linking Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to a move to Celtic…
The former England international is a free agent and has been training with Arsenal for an extended period so despite being without a club the player remains fully fit, if not match fit.
Today Martin O’Neill was asked at his pre-match media conference about the link to Oxlade-Chamberlain with the mainstream hacks (we’re still banned by the way) probably expecting the Celtic manager to dismiss it entirely or maybe just give very little away.
Instead Martin confirmed that he has been in discussion with the player who has plenty of options and may end up staying closer to home in the London area, but he is interested in joining Celtic.
Martin also revealed that Oxlade-Chamberlain has been speaking to former Celt Joe Hart about playing for Celtic and you can only imagine the glowing endorsement that Big Joe would have given Celtic.
Asked if Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a player that he quite likes, the Celtic manager replied: “I do, I genuinely do, yes. He has trained at Arsenal for some time since his time in Turkey.
“I spoke to him and yeah. But I mean, I’m sure he’ll have lots of options. Maybe closer to London as well too, like anything else. Yeah, but he was very happy.”
Asked if a move for Oxlade-Chamberlain is something the club are pursuing, he said:
“I would be very interested in doing it. But as I said to you, one, I’m surprised that people haven’t taken him up closer to the area. And yeah, he’s telling me he’s been training with Arsenal for quite some considerable time. And so in terms of fitness, it’s not match fitness, but we’ll see. He’s got loads of options.”
Another question on this brought the Joe Hart revelation to light. The journalist asked: In terms of Oxlade-Chamberlain, has there been any indication from him or his camp that he’d be keen to move here?
Martin replied: “I think he was very excited about what we were saying. Listen, he knows about the football club, he’s a big friend of Joe Hart’s, and Joe has spoken to him, and not on our behalf. That was a conversation he had with Joe.
“But listen, it’s fine, it’s something that would be interesting. If it doesn’t materialise, it doesn’t materialise.”
You would imagine having spoken to both Joe Hart and Martin O’Neill, there is indeed a real chance that the 32 year-old Oxlade-Chamberlain might just fancy a chance to wear the Hoops and experience an incredible club. That brilliant send-off that Joe Hart was given by (whisper it) the Green Brigade certainly has had a major impact.
Imagine Oxlade-Chamberlain arriving at Celtic Park on his first match-day, walking out and as he looks over to the front of the North Curve all he sees in the green covering over the seats of the supporters Michael Nicholson banned.
Watch Martin O’Neill’s latest media conference below…
I think Martin is got a good chance of oxlyn Chamberlian is 80%sure thats why he made the comment he knows how fickle some of the support dont think board do enough i cant see why their getting A 6th of the support against them you have them getting players they know a new manager will be needed and A big budget will be a good bargaining point with europe cause spl is a hard sell hopefully we will be champions and the fans help the team by full support and no plastic pitches and inquiry into some deci8sions against us by certain refs beaton be the main one davidison and our pal in var dallas