Celtic’s interest in former Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is concrete after Martin O’Neill confirmed he had spoken to the out-of-contract midfielder.
The Celtic boss appeared excited speaking about Oxlade-Chamberlain and said he and the club were exploring a potential deal.
The former Liverpool man is a free agent after Oxlade-Chamberlain had his contract terminated by Beşiktaş back in August 2025.
Could Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have an impact like Scott Sinclair did at Celtic?
Now that Celtic want the former England man, Hoops hero Peter Grant has raised one big question about Oxlade-Chamberlain and his potential to play for the Parkhead club.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s fitness comes into question for Celtic
Oxlade-Chamberlain made just 50 appearances for Beşiktaş over two seasons, amassing 2556 minutes averaging 51 minutes per game.
And that is something that concerns Grant as Celtic look to defend their title in the final 14 games of the season.
Grant told The Go Radio Football Show, “He’s a talented player. I don’t know how he’s been playing recently. Paul obviously has been out of work in the respect of that.
“I think he’s been coaching and training at Arsenal. But when he was at his best, he was a very good player because he could play midfield, he could play numerous positions and play them well.
“I wouldn’t say he was a right winger, I wouldn’t say he was a central midfield player. He just plays in that forward area of the pitch.
“He’s strong and obviously he’s got a football background. I remember his father very well, Oxlade-Chamberlain who played at Sheffield Wednesday.
“So you look at it and you think he’s got the background, but yet again the big question mark is, Paul, where’s his fitness?”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s last professional appearance amid Celtic links
The former England international’s last professional outing was way back on the 25th of May 2025.
Oxlade-Chamberlain lasted just 11 minutes of Beşiktaş’ 4-1 home win over Adana Demirspor before being taken off after suffering a knee injury.
That injury kept him out of the game for just under a month, but Oxlade-Chamberlain never made another first-team appearance for the Turkish club.
Now training at Arsenal, Oxlade-Chamberlain is hoping to either win a deal at the Emirates or at Celtic Park as he makes his way back into football.
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