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Celtic: Martin O’Neill’s new contract should secure Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain’s future

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football finance journalist specialising in the financial landscape of the Premier League and SPFL. FOCUS Financial analysis, club economics, and data-led coverage across the top flight and Scottish football. THE INSIGHT Ciaran utilises a network of financial and industry contacts to deliver verified, data-driven analysis. He provides the numbers behind the noise to ensure fans understand the fiscal reality driving decisions at the top of the game.

Published on:

07 Jun 2026, 11:10 am

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is surely set to stay at Celtic after Martin O'Neill agreed a deal to remain at the club.

O'Neill has agreed a one-year contract to stay on as manager following a successful spell in interim charge which ended with a league and cup double.

The 74-year-old signed Oxlade-Chamberlain as a free agent in February, but his contract expired at the beginning of June.

O'Neill preferred to select Oxlade-Chamberlain in his match day squads, over the likes of Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo, who now face the prospect of leaving Celtic instead.

Celtic face a rebuild of their squad this summer, and keeping the experience of Oxlade-Chamberlain would be a sensible move by O'Neill.

Martin O'Neill in favour of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain stay

Sources have told Football Insider that O'Neill does want to keep Oxlade-Chamberlain at Celtic for another season.

Martin O'Neill pushing for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain extension as Celtic delay deal

Now that O'Neill has agreed to remain at Celtic, talks can accelerate over Oxlade-Chamberlain putting pen to paper on a new deal.

O'Neill is said to trust the 32-year-old, which was shown during his run in the team when Arne Engels was out injured.

With a full pre-season behind him, Oxlade-Chamberlain's box-to-box style, with an eye for goal, could add a different dimension to O'Neill's midfield.

Celtic have key transfer decisions to make

Alongside Hatate and Bernardo, O'Neill must factor in the interest in Benjamin Nygren and Engels this summer.

Even Callum McGregor's future has been speculated over the past few months since Brendan Rogers left Celtic and became manager of Saudi club Al Qadsiah.

O'Neill is bound to have to make a move in the transfer market this summer to add to Celtic's midfield, and keeping Oxlade-Chamberlain could save him vital funds to spend elsewhere.

Celtic are in need of a goalkeeper after Kasper Schmeichel's retirement, and a proven striker who can net up to 15 goals a season, which will not come cheap, whilst another winger is on their radar.

The pressure will be on O'Neill and the board from the fanbase to ensure their squad is strengthened, so the veteran manager would be correct to keep Oxlade-Chamberlain in his plans.

Celtic Football Club