Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain reveals role current Liverpool star played in Celtic transfer

The former Liverpool and Arsenal midfielder completed his switch to Celtic Park on Saturday, and he referenced two of his ex-Reds teammates during signing interview

James Milner and Andy Robertson had an impact on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's transfer to Celtic

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed the role two former Liverpool team-mates played in his transfer to Celtic.

The ex-Arsenal midfielder’s move to the Scottish champions was confirmed on Saturday, hours before Celtic’s home game against Dundee. Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed a short-term contract at Parkhead, with the option of an additional year this summer.

The 32-year-old has been without a club since departing Besiktas in August and has been training with Arsenal in recent months to build his fitness. There were even suggestions that the Gunners could look into signing the free agent until the end of the season, something Celtic boss Martin O’Neill acknowledged earlier this week.

The Hoops boss played a key role in convincing Oxlade-Chamberlain to join Celtic, as did current Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson, while another former Red inadvertently assisted with his move to Glasgow.

“I was with Harty (Joe Hart) a few weeks ago at James Milner’s birthday actually, and I asked him about Celtic – to be fair, it was before this came about – and how he found it up here,” Oxlade-Chamberlain told Celtic’s club website after the transfer was confirmed.

“He just said it was the best two or three years of his life that he was up here.

“He raved about it, how much he loved it up here, how the people treated him, how intense it is and how passionate it is.

“And even playing with Harty, that’s his whole identity. So that made sense, how he loved it so much, and he talked it right up.

“So when it came around, I was fresh off those conversations as well and that makes it a lot easier to see myself up here and how it will be.

Robertson encouraged Oxalde-Chamberlain to join Celtic

“I’m best mates with Andy Robertson as well so it didn’t take much convincing from him,” Oxlade-Chamberlain continued.

“Robbo also told me to get in the car and get myself up here, and he’s been messaging me every couple of hours the last two days – ‘Are you there yet?’ ‘Is it done?’”

Oxlade-Chamberlain watched Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie against Dundee from the stands, and could be in line to make his Celtic debut against Livingston on Wednesday.

“It’s exactly what I need,” said the new signing. “I need another challenge and lucky enough at a massive club like this.

“And they can help me get back to where I need to get to and, more importantly, I need to help the team achieve the goals we want to do.”