Martin O’Neill Predicts MVP Impact as Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Celtic Role Becomes Clear

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is hoping Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can make an immediate impact for the Hoops, predicting that the former Liverpool and Arsenal star could be a key figure in the team’s midfield.

Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Celtic outside the January transfer window and is set to make his debut on Wednesday evening against Livingston. O’Neill has been impressed with the player’s early training sessions and is keen to see him deployed in a central infield role rather than out wide.

“In Turkey, he played under a number of managers and was moved around a lot. Under Solskjaer, he almost played as a No.6 and did that pretty well,” O’Neill said. “Ideally, I’d like to see him infield and performing in the way he can. Alex can still take players on, and he has a goal in him — that’s part of his makeup. He can add a lot to our midfield.”

O’Neill, an NFL fan, even drew inspiration from watching the Super Bowl, noting how players and coaches must rise to the occasion on big stages. “I watched the Super Bowl until the last quarter. The Patriots quarterback just didn’t perform — frozen stiff,” he said. “It’s a big occasion, and if you think about it too much, it can really get to you. There’s a message in there for my Celtic squad ahead of a huge stretch of fixtures.”

The manager acknowledged that Oxlade-Chamberlain’s first outing against Dundee saw him substituted after 45 minutes but stressed the importance of building confidence. “It was tough for him — he had just arrived. He is quick and shouldn’t lose confidence if a dribble or two doesn’t come off. In time, I am confident he will be fine as long as he keeps going after losing the ball.”

O’Neill is clear that the Hoops face a testing schedule, including trips to Ibrox, crucial Europa League clashes against Stuttgart, and key Premiership fixtures, but he believes Oxlade-Chamberlain has the experience to handle it. “He has exactly the experience we will need to get over the line. If we are signing someone permanently, you absolutely need to factor that in,” he said.

The Celtic boss’s message is clear: Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to play a pivotal role in midfield, bringing creativity, goal threat, and composure to a side navigating a decisive phase of the season.