Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s post-Liverpool minutes make for interesting reading as he re-joins Celtic

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Celtic provided Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with a new lease of life in January.

After being without a club for six months, Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Celtic for their domestic double charge, and he has now earned his first full-time contract since leaving Liverpool for Beşiktaş in 2023.

Celtic fans will know all about Oxlade-Chamberlain’s quality, that isn’t the issue, it’s a case of what he has left in the tank, especially over the course of a campaign.

The former England midfielder didn’t leave Liverpool in 2023 because he wasn’t good enough, but because injuries have harmed him again and again.

So, what do Oxlade-Chamberlain’s minutes and starts since leaving Anfield say about the player? Because that might be his and Celtic’s biggest challenge ahead of this forthcoming campaign?

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Is he being overworked by the club?

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s struggle for regular minutes a problem for Celtic?

Whatever happens, Celtic will feature in Europe ahead of the new campaign. Either way, it’s going to be challenging on the body.

The issue with Oxlade-Chamberlain will be whether or not he will be able to stay fit and available for the whole season. The stats suggest no.

To put this into context, at the same time, Callum McGregor has played 3,730 minutes, 4,644 minutes and 5,037 minutes during that same period.

It’s a world of difference, and it just proves how Oxlade-Chamberlain’s quality dropping, as well as injuries, have resulted in him being in this situation.

If Ox starts 16 games in all competitions next season, then, at best, he is playing a squad role, so you then point towards what type of contract he has.

If it’s a big one, then clearly it’s not worth it. But if it’s similar to the other squad players, then the club have made the right call bringing him back.

Another issue is whether Oxlade-Chamberlain can play the entire game. His recent record suggests no.

The last time the experienced midfielder played an entire game was on May 4, 2025, for Beşiktaş against Fenerbahçe during a 1-0 win.

The last time he completed back-to-back 90 minutes? December 2023.

All in all, this is an issue because you assume Oxlade-Chamberlain’s minutes will only naturally decrease because of his age, so any time he does take to the field, he has to produce golden moment on top of golden moment.