What does this Celtic signing say about the midfield?

Did we sign the Ox based on his performances alone?

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Hopefully we look back on the resigning of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with fondness at the end of the season. Right now, it’s a hard one to work out. Yes The midfielder contributed with a couple of important goals last season but he wasn’t called upon to start any of the vital games after the split by Martin O’Neill. I personally didn’t see anything in his performances that suggested he would be retained for another year. I wonder if Martin sanctioned the move because of squad uncertainties as we move towards the CL qualifier.

So what does Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain bring to the table in his older years? Experience and leading by example mainly. Are these the kind of qualities we might be about to lose if McGregor’s rumoured move to Saudi is completed? The captains best days might be behind him but he’s still a player you can rely on in the middle of the park. His leadership qualities would be a huge miss. With most of the midfield being linked with moves away and the threat of the club losing it’s captain, I wonder if O’Neill thought it best to have the former Arsenal and Liverpool man around for another season.

Replacing Callum’s leadership will be tough

When we lost Scott Brown it was hard to see where the leadership would come from in the squad. Brown had been such a colossal figure at the club that it seemed unlikely that anyone else in the building would step up and fill that void. That thought process turned out to be false as Callum has more than stepped up and played his part in leading the Celts since Ange came through the door.

I don’t expect Oxlade-Chamberlain to play every week the way that Callum has if the captain does leave. Yet few players can match his experience in the game whether it be premier league, European football or international. He’s been at the top level his whole career and I can only imagine O’Neill sees his experience as a valuable asset during a season of squad overhaul.

Personally, he’s not a player I would be resigning but I hope he goes on to have an Aaron Mooy like impact at the club after a full pre season. That being said, I just can’t wonder if giving him another year says more about the expected sales in midfield and the potential loss of our captain than what he offered us on the park last season.

Tim Lisbon

All views expressed on Celtic DNA are personal opinions and are for commentary and discussion purposes only

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