GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 28: Celtic Manager Martin O'Neill during a Celtic MD-1 press conference at the Lennoxtown Training Centre, on January 28, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
After the epic failure of the January Transfer Window, Martin O’Neill was discussing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at today’s media conference.
The former England midfielder is currently training with Arsenal after spending two seasons at Besiktas.
At the age of 32 and available as a free agent there seems to be a distinct lack of interest in signing Oxlade-Chamberlain among English clubs.
O’NEILL IN DEFLECTION MODE
It could of course be that he is being very selective but it is quite a stretch to think that a former Liverpool and Arsenal midfielder is waiting on the call to play in the SPFL.
Last night as Celtic’s transfer failings became obvious Sky Sports were first to mention interest in Oxlade-Chamberlain.
It was an easy subject to pick up on at today’s media conference with O’Neill happy to play along.
Martin O’Neill confirms Celtic interest in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as talks take place https://t.co/Vr33D2x8eq
— The Scotsman (@TheScotsman) February 3, 2026
The Scotsman reports the Celtic boss saying:
I do like him. He has been training at Arsenal for since his time in Turkey.
I’ve spoken to him and he’s got lots of options, some closer to London too. I’d be very interested in doing a deal but as I said, I’m surprised teams haven’t already teed him up.
As he’s been training with Arsenal for a consider length of time, while it’s not match fitness, he is fit. But he’s got loads of options.
Clearly Oxlade-Chamberlain will have a few London based options if he wants to get back playing again.
After seven months out of football this season is virtually a write off which is all that matters for Celtic and O’Neill at the moment.
Signing five loan players during the transfer window shows the complete panic at Celtic with no forward planning, model or strategy.
Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara have both made impressive starts to their careers but the February 2 signings are at best a mixed bag.
Junior Adamu looks a reasonable striking option but is lacking in game time and match fitness.
Joel Mvuka was flagged up as having a health issue while with three appearances in senior football Benjamin Arthur looks like a downgrade on Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.
Next up for Celtic is a trip to Aberdeen where the impact of the February 2 signings will be reflected on the team sheet.
Celtic can make three changes to their Europa League squad which means that two of the January arrivals will be watching the Stuttgart matches from the stand.
How do you rate Celtic's January transfer window?
OUTSTANDING- exactly what we needed
DECENT- it is notoriously difficult
HORRIFIC- typically Nicholson
Now what happens in the summer is a bigger worry. These 5 players can go back to their clubs along with Sarrachi. Engels will be looking to move, Maeda not happy, Yang playing for a move. No manager in place. No recruitment policy in place. Maloney will take charge of training pre season with half of this team gone back home or moved on, no players and no idea who the new manager will be or the system he wants to play. Wouldn’t be surprised if Maloney is our next manager.
Jason Denyer is also available as a free agent. Surely a better bet than the young guy with zero league games under his belt?
Signing the young guy makes no sense at all, its actually pretty stupid. 4 months and he’s back at his club, probably with a few minutes game time to his name.
Our club is a nickel&dime version of Spurs on how it’s being run.
Just who in their right mind would want to manage us while this board are running the show.
DD is a Poundland version of Levy at Spurs.
So 5 signings is shite? Ffs never fckn happy.
4 months Oneill is off. Hopefully picked new man before and players identified.spend big money on players then new guy disnea like them? Loans at this stage makes perfect sense.
Yeah, I’m sure the next window will be amazing, I mean, we’ll only need 3/4 of a team by that point, and look at the last few windows, yeah, nothing to worry about.
Lol Maeda what a piss take,i thought he had left.
We would have a better chance of seeing the Invisible Man or Lord Lucan riding Shergar around George Square,than Maeda ever putting in a proper performance for us.
The guy is worse than a man short.
Are Celtic and Sky Sports Scotland business partners ? Why ! Well the SS in Scotland gives us the 50 bob version of coverage every week ….every penny a prisoner type of thing , treating the fans and customers with utter contempt . Give us your money ! And it’s the same attitude and cheapskate spending policies from Celtic especially during this Winter window …the 50 bob policy ? There is so much to gain by winning the league this season . But there is much ,much more to lose by losing it …and that’s just financially ! Time will tell which club/ clumpany had the best strategy in the window ? If it goes ‘nipples up ‘ in the end , the board’s time will be up …for every one of them ,that’s if it isn’t already ?
Turning against the manager (transfer policy isn’t his fault) when he has answered an emergency call to help rescue the season and portraying him as obstructive is reprehensible.
We’ve a difficult season to get through and yet there remains these sowings of division (a personal attack was hardly required where most supporters agree on the the need for long-term reconstruction).
Martin must wonder what asylum he’s come back to…
But Thank F*ck it’s him that’s there…
Sainthood beckons if he pulls this off !