Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain arrives in Glasgow ahead of Celtic medical

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has arrived in Glasgow as he moves closer to completing a transfer to Celtic, with the former England international scheduled to undergo a medical ahead of finalising the deal.

Alex Chamberlain of Besiktas looks on during the Turkish Super League match between Basaksehir and Besiktas at Fatih Terim Stadium on April 4, 2024. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

Sky Sports reported earlier today that the 32-year-old had touched down in the city, following confirmation from Martin O’Neill on Tuesday that the midfielder was expected to sign for the Scottish champions. Provided there are no issues during his medical assessment, Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to officially join Celtic later today.

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain of Besiktas controls the ball during the Turkish Super League match between Besiktas and Goztepe on April 3, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

The move will see the ex-Arsenal and Liverpool player sign a short-term contract running until the end of the current season. Oxlade-Chamberlain is a free agent after leaving Turkish side Besiktas in May and has since been without competitive football. Despite that, he has worked to maintain his fitness by training with his former club Arsenal in recent months.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks on prior to during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on January 27, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

While his arrival has generated excitement among supporters, Oxlade-Chamberlain will not be eligible to feature in Celtic’s Europa League campaign. The midfielder arrived too late to be registered before Thursday’s UEFA deadline, meaning he cannot take part in the remaining European fixtures this season.

Speaking ahead of Celtic’s Scottish Cup tie against Dundee, Martin O’Neill confirmed that discussions with the player had progressed quickly and positively. Addressing supporters via the club’s official YouTube channel, the Celtic manager said:
“I spoke to him this morning. I think he wants to come and I think he’s coming.”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain attends a training session of Arsenal FC ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal FC and SK Slavia Praha at Sobha Realty Training Centre on November 03, 2025 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images)

O’Neill also suggested that Oxlade-Chamberlain had other options available to him, underlining Celtic’s achievement in persuading the midfielder to choose Glasgow.
“I would have assumed he’s had a number of options,” O’Neill explained. “There was even talk that Arsenal might take him on because they might pick up a couple of injuries.”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain attends a training session of Arsenal FC ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal FC and SK Slavia Praha at Sobha Realty Training Centre on November 03, 2025 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images)

The Celtic boss admitted he was delighted by the prospect of adding such an experienced player to his squad, adding:
“So I’m delighted that he’s going to come. I think he’s doing a medical and all being well, I’m hoping that he signs on.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s pedigree is unquestioned. He earned 35 caps for England and enjoyed spells at both Arsenal and Liverpool, where he won major honours including the Premier League and Champions League. O’Neill believes that, once fully match fit, the midfielder could make a meaningful impact in Celtic’s engine room.

Although he has not played competitively since last season, O’Neill feels the player’s recent training regime could help him regain sharpness quickly.
“He’s been training, if everything is to be believed, with Arsenal,” O’Neill said. “At this minute Arsenal are one of the strongest teams in Europe. So if he’s training with high-quality players, it can only be a benefit to him.”

The manager added that the mere suggestion Arsenal might have considered bringing Oxlade-Chamberlain back, even as cover, spoke volumes about his ability.
“If they even thought about taking him on as a backup, probably not playing for them at any stage because they’ve got so many good players, it says a lot about him.”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Norwich City and Liverpool at Carrow Road on September 21, 2021. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

O’Neill did, however, acknowledge that fitness and motivation would be key factors in determining how much Oxlade-Chamberlain can contribute.
“He’s got a bit of quality. It’s whether he has the fitness and the desire. I think the desire should be there. It’s a matter of how quickly he gets up to speed.”

Former Celtic favourite Joe Hart is believed to have played a role in encouraging Oxlade-Chamberlain to consider the move north of the border. The pair were teammates with England, and Hart’s positive experiences at Celtic may have helped influence the decision.

However, O’Neill played down Hart’s involvement, suggesting the club itself was the main attraction.
“I think the football club itself probably has convinced him more than anything else,” he said, before joking about the unpredictability of transfers.
“We might be having this conversation in 36 hours and he might come up here, see what the weather’s like and disappear back down again quite easily! There are a few who have done that in the past!”

Despite his enthusiasm, Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to be disappointed about missing out on European football this season. O’Neill acknowledged this, explaining that the club had no choice but to proceed with their Europa League registrations.

“I think there might be a bit of a disappointment there from Alex’s viewpoint, wanting to show what he can do on the European stage,” O’Neill admitted. “But we had to press on.”

For the Europa League squad, O’Neill opted to register January arrivals Julian Araujo, Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu ahead of the upcoming clash with Stuttgart. Meanwhile, Callum Osmand, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Johnny Kenny were left out.

Osmand is currently sidelined with an injury that could keep him out until next season, while Kenny departed during the transfer window to join Bolton Wanderers on loan. Balikwisha, a summer signing, has fallen out of contention entirely and now appears likely to be moved on in the summer as Celtic look to cut their losses.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha- Auchinleck Talbot v Celtic, Scottish Cup 4th Round, Rugby Park. Sunday 18 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou ( The Celtic Star)

O’Neill remains confident that Oxlade-Chamberlain still has plenty to offer, particularly given modern standards of player fitness and longevity.
“He’s 32, which is, in this day and age, really no age whatsoever for players who look after themselves,” he said.

Chris McKay and Paul Tisdale, Motherwell v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. 30 December 2025 Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Beyond the pitch, the situation has also reignited discussion around Celtic’s relationship with sections of fan media. The Celtic Star, along with other outlets, had previously worked closely with the club but was removed from the official rota following the formation of the Celtic Fans Collective last September, shortly after the summer transfer window closed.

Celtic interim Chairman Brian Wilson looks on during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on February 01, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Since then, there has reportedly been no communication from the club, including in the wake of interim chairman Brian Wilson’s recent interview on Celtic TV.

For now, the focus remains firmly on Oxlade-Chamberlain’s impending arrival. If his medical is completed successfully, Celtic will soon add a highly experienced and decorated midfielder to their ranks, with hopes that he can make a telling contribution domestically before the season comes to an end.