Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has insisted that it was an easy decision to return to Paradise this summer…
The Ox wants to participate in Martin O’Neill’s much talked about rebuild and reckons that the kind of dramatic ending to last season at Celtic Park is difficult to find anywhere else in world football.
A Premier League and UEFA Champions League winner with Liverpool in his glittering career, the Englishman would know a thing or two about it. Having starred for Arsenal and Southampton in the English top-flight too in his footballing journey, the Ox carries a wealth of experience that very few can boast about – particularly in Scottish footballing circles.
Luke Shanley from Sky Sports Scotland interviewed the midfielder ahead of the new season commencing on Monday, 3rd August against Dundee at Celtic Park this Flag Day and here’s how it went…
Luke Shanley: How’s your summer been? You’ve had a lot going on and then signing again here at Celtic.
The Ox: “Yeah, I had a great summer. Like you said, a lot went on, but it was really nice to be able to get back here, get that sorted, and get back to work. So, that sort of just put the icing on the cake for a good summer for me.
Luke Shanley: What was it about Celtic that made you want to come back?
The Ox: “I think just everything about the club in general—the changing room, the coaches, the manager, the fans, and obviously the end to the season last year. It’s hard to find that sort of excitement anywhere in football, I think. So, all of that put together, it was an easy decision.”
Luke Shanley: You’re such an experienced player now, but did you feel you learned anything different about Scottish football and Celtic having that spell last season?
The Ox: “I think I learned more about the club and what it means to people. When you play down in England for a lot of the time, you maybe don’t realize how big it is up here and how passionate it is. I’m just delighted that I got a chance to play for a massive club like this and experience something like we did last year. It was just fun to get back to a team that wins, and I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Luke Shanley: It was so dramatic, and I’m sure for a neutral it was great to watch. But for Celtic this season, how do they make sure it’s maybe less dramatic and more from a Celtic point of view routine to try and get the job done?
The Ox: “I don’t think you can ever say it’s routine. Other teams looked strong last year, and I’m sure they’re going into this season strong, so it’ll be tough again for us. We need to be consistent throughout the season and do everything that we did towards the end of the season. We’ve brought in some new faces now as well, which hopefully can really help us. The group being with the manager and with the coaches for a longer period of time now, we should know more about what we’re trying to do. It’s going to be tough either way, so I don’t think you can say it’s routine at all.”
Luke Shanley: You mentioned the understanding. How important is that for you? And also having that preseason with the players?
The Ox: “That always helps, of course. For any player, preseason is really important—playing with each other and practicing the things that we’re going to look to do in the season. But I think, obviously, fitness is the main thing for me personally, and for all of us as well. That’s obviously massive going into a busy fixture list.”
Luke Shanley: Something that’s always special at this club is the raising of the league flag at the start of the season. Callum McGregor is obviously part of the inspiration to make you want to go and do it again. Just how key will this first game in terms of trying to build momentum be against Dundee on Monday night?
The Ox: “You want to get off to a good start every year. After last season, the way everything ended for us, you want to continue on that momentum. I know there’s been a little break, but you want to keep that going. Monday, at home, it’s a perfect chance for us to get off to a good start and get going on the season. It’s going to be long and there’s going to be a lot of games, but we have to take it one by one. Dundee is the most important game we’ve got, and we need to focus on that.”
Watch Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s full interview with Sky Sports Scotland below…
🍀 “It’s hard to find that sort of excitement anywhere in football.”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the “easy decision” to sign a one-year contract extension as he prepares for Celtic’s opening Premiership match against Dundee on Monday, live on Sky Sports ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/zMxnzQbbke
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) July 29, 2026
Paul Gillespie
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