Former Liverpool icon Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on the verge of signing a deal that will see him join Celtic. The free agent is looking to get back into football and is reportedly excited about what the Hoops have to offer.
Martin O'Neill is desperate to rush the deal through before the Europa League squad registration deadline at midnight tonight. Talks are now advanced, and Oxlade-Chamberlain could potentially arrive in Glasgow for a medical today.
Supporters are excited about the prospect of the midfielder playing in the green and white, and for good reason, as it seems he still has plenty to offer.
Oxlade-Chamberlain could be the missing puzzle piece
Oxlade-Chamberlain is a very talented player, and at the age of 32, he could slot right into this Celtic midfield and thrive.
The Hoops currently deploy three midfielders for their 4-3-3 formation. Callum McGregor, Arne Engels, and Benjamin Nygren. McGregor and Engels hold positions in the middle of the park, while Nygren is allowed to go up the park to attack, which has led to the Swede scoring 15 goals so far this season. That is an incredible return, and one Celtic will want to keep.
Nygren is undroppable, there is no question about that, but there is also no doubt that our midfield has struggled this season because of his advanced position.
Fans have pointed out that our two-person holding midfield is often being overrun by the likes of Falkirk, which is understandably concerning for a team competing for the title. As the famous words say: The game is won or lost in midfield. If we want to keep progressing in the Europa League, we really could do with a strong central midfielder.
In comes Oxlade-Chamberlain. Not only will he be a strong figure in the squad, but he also has the experience that will really help us in the middle of the park.
He also comes with an impressive CV that includes Premier League titles and a Champions League, and that's exactly the kind of player the Hoops should be looking for - someone who knows what it's like to win.
Celtic are going to need everyone to be pushing in the same direction. Rangers have leapfrogged us for now, with their match against Kilmarnock yesterday going ahead while Celtic's clash against Aberdeen was delayed due to a waterlogged pitch. We cannot afford to lose any game from now until the end of the season.
Oxlade-Chamberlain isn't just a cheap option: He's still an elite-level footballer capable of helping Celtic to the trophies that they expect. No wonder O'Neill jumped at the opportunity, because the midfielder could be everything the Hoops are looking for.