Celtic are reportedly unlikely to offer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a contract extension…
The former Liverpool midfielder joined on a short time deal in January with parties holding an option for a future year.
According to a report from Sun Sport, Celtic are unlikely to offer the 32-year-old the opportunity to remain at Celtic Park for the new season.
The Ox scored two goals in 12 appearances, including two vital goals against Livingston and St Mirren. It was hoped that he would get up to speed but as the season progressed and Arne Engels returned from injury, his minutes were somewhat limited.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been training out in Portugal as his future looks to be resolved in the coming weeks. Given his Celtic teammates returned on Friday, his absence looked like no deal was forthcoming for the ex-Arsenal midfielder.
There would be an argument to continue with the Ox as he is clearly an excellent footballer, even if he appears to have lost that yard of pace he had at Anfield. The quality on the ball, the ability to strike from range and the experience would bolster the midfield, assuming that there are runners elsewhere. Reo Hatate is expected to leave as is Engels, leaving Celtic light in the middle.
Another senior player from last season that appears to be in limbo is Kelechi Iheanacho. The Nigerian striker scored 10 goals in 24 appearances for Celtic and netted some important goals in the title run in, including in the Scottish Cup Final.
Elsewhere, Celtic have been linked with a move for Lithuanian midfielder Gvidas Gineitis. The 6ft3 midfielder plays for Serie A side Torino and is expected to move this summer if a suitable offer comes in.
And it looks like the club has made New Zealand’s World Cup star Elijah Just a priority target and a deal could be done relatively quickly with the signature of Marcelo Saracchi also close to the top of Martin O’Neill’s shopping list.
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1 Comment
Would have been more surprised if the OX was to within the plans of MoN for next season imo?
Can understand MoN turning to the OX last season, with both Paulo and Hatate doing nothing within our midfield 2, with nygren more advanced.
Still believe MoN will have a midfield 2 in operation next season, within our central areas, no matter how our team is set up imo?
Still think a proper defensive midfielder will be one of those requirements, which i wouldn’t class Calmac as?
A defensive midfielder, with good playmaking ability, would be fantastic, to accommodate Calmac more so, with his higher intensity and freedom to play his playmaking role, within a more advanced positional role, could well be an improvement upon last season imo?
Think the profile of our midfield players, will require a higher mobility and physicality within them, that was in existence last season imo?
Of course that all counts for nothing, if we continue to give away cheap possession also. Only Calmac and Engels got anywhere near what potentially MoN was looking for, which was disappointing last season. Hence the requirements so high if our performance levels are to improve imo?
Survived just about within the SPFL, but well short within our higher calibre European matches, and that’s at europa league level?
Still class that midfield 2 is our most important areas to be addressed during this window?
Hardly made any easier with the uncertainty surrounding Calmac and his own age factor in existence also?
We need that area of our team to function better, with a far higher consistency factor, for next season imo?
4 players are potentially required to fill the positions, and still class McCowan more of a utility player, when required.
So potentially the biggest consideration MoN has to give, for his options within the squad building process imo?