Celtic

We asked for your views after Celtic came from behind to beat Dundee in extra-time and progress into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Johnnie: Careless individual errors and an inconsistent tempo to our play almost cost us. If that isn't enough to focus some players' minds then they shouldn't be there. On the plus side, new players contributed at times and the Martin O'Neill resilience got us into the next round. The squad is definitely stronger after the January window. Lastly, the fans that stayed away had in impact on the team not the board.

Paul: The team showed great resilience but, if they are to win the league O'Neill will have to improve the performance level, especially in midfield.

Benny: Undoubtedly the worst Celtic team in more than 40 years. Clueless and talentless. Liam Scales badly at fault for the Dundee goal, and repeatedly so later, turning his back on the strikers. Too many Celtic players want to swan up the pitch, but can't defend. And the Celtic attack is dismal. Too much money has been squandered signing also-ran "wingers" and forwards who have scored three goals in as many years. O'Neill and Shaun Maloney are being exploited trying to keep this sinking ship afloat.

Joe: The Celtic management team got the subs spot on. Full credit to Dundee, they played some great football. Ethan Hamilton, what a goal and what a player. He was a standout. Never give up attitude from Celtic.

Martin: The game against Dundee reminded me of the way we used to play with Adam Idah. The big man up front was not used. Tomas Cvancara must have been so frustrated as he got no supply. There were zero crosses as Celtic tried again and again to go through the middle. Hoops got away with one. If they do not learn to mix it up, by crossing the ball once in a while, teams with more quality than Dundee will make Celtic pay.

Charlie: Shocking team, bit more fight by the end. Hope we can sign Julian Araujo in the summer, he's been phenomenal.

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Sebastian Tounekti is seeking to build on an "amazing feeling" after his vital contribution to Celtic's extra-time Scottish Cup win at home to Dundee.

The Tunisia winger came off the bench to set up a last-gasp equaliser, then hit the goal that sent Martin O'Neill's side into the quarter-finals.

Tounekti told Celtic TV: "Maybe the game wasn't the best for us but we kept on going. We kept on fighting, I'm just glad that I could help the team.

"It's an amazing feeling. I haven't maybe scored a lot or made a lot of assists, but I want to help the team with that because I'm that player, who can do that.

"So hopefully it is the start of many."

Tounekti, 23, moved to Glasgow from Hammarby in Sweden late in the summer transfer window.

He has scored four goals in all competitions.

"I feel like we just have to keep going now," he added. "I think we've been doing OK lately.

"We're improving every day and we just have to keep going because we want to win every game.

"We want to win every competition we are in. So we just have to keep going now."

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Celtic have offered a pre-contract deal to Austrian international midfielder Xaver Schlager, who will leave RB Leipzig in the summer. (Daily Record), external

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says he jumped at the chance to join Celtic after a pep talk from the club's former goalkeeper Joe Hart and his old Liverpool team-mate Andy Robertson. (Daily Record), external

Celtic "have found a resilience and a will to keep going", said manager Martin O'Neill after their dramatic Scottish Cup win over Dundee.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill: "I was thinking that we were out of the competition. We had huffed and puffed a little but, particularly towards the latter stages of the normal game.

"The players found it, the players found the inspiration, the drive, the determination to go and actually just play to the very, very final whistle. The players have found a resilience and a will to keep going.

"In the first half of extra time, we scored pretty early on and we put ourselves in a great position.

"Seb Tounekti's introduction helped changed things. Seb came on and gave us a brightness, he gave us something to go at, which was great and he helped make the goal. The recruit (Junior Adamu) scores a goal for us.

"Dundee played very well. They've come here with a great freedom. They can play, they can definitely play. They scored a great, great goal. That looked as if it had won the game."

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On loan defender Julian Araujo is urging Celtic not to "take any game for granted" as they continue to push for the league title, Scottish Cup and Europa League progression.

Celtic host Dundee in Saturday's Scottish Cup fifth round tie and the Glasgow club have already lost out on their first chance of silverware when they were beaten in the League Cup final earlier this season.

Martin O'Neill's side are also embroiled in an intense title fight, with Rangers and Hearts above them in the table.

"It's just as important as the league," Araujo said of the Scottish Cup clash.

"Celtic wants to win every competition and this is a very important game. We know Dundee are going to try and break us down but we have to stick to our principals and get the win."

The right-back joined from Premier League side Bournemouth in January and has been surprised by the demands of the Scottish top flight.

"Physically and mentally it's very demanding," he added.

"This is a club that's entitled to win, you have to push, you have to do whatever it takes to get the three points. If it comes to the 80th minute and you're not winning you have to give that extra push.

"It's surprised me but it's been good. You can't come here thinking it's an easy league, that's it's going to be easy. Every team here has quality if you give them time on the ball. I've realised you can't give players time on the ball."

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Celtic interim boss Martin O'Neill has added a trio of winter signings - right-back Julian Araujo, striker Tomas Cvancara and forward Junior Adamu - to his Europa League squad for the play-off against Stutgart.

The club's other January loan arrivals, Lorient winger Joel Mvuka and Brentford defender Benjamin Arthur, miss out.

So too does Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who will undergo a medical on Saturday before signing for the remainder of the season.

Celtic were permitted to make three changes to their Europa League squad and attacking midfielder Michel-Ange Balikwisha has dropped out after struggling to make an impact since joining last summer.

Injured striker Callum Osmand and Johnny Kenny, who departed on loan to Bolton on deadline day, are the other players to make way.

"In terms of European football, I wanted to make changes to players who had been at the football club rather than waiting around," said O'Neill.

"I think there might be a bit of disappointment there from Alex's viewpoint, wanting to show what he can do on the European stage. We had to press on.

"But if he can get up to speed, I do believe he's got the desire. He wants to do well. He's 32, which in this day and age is really no age whatsoever for players that look after themselves."

Araujo has been heavily involved since joining on loan from Bournemouth in early January, while Cvancara has hit the ground running with a goal and an assist in his two games so far.

Balikwisha has made 14 appearances since his multi-million-pound move from Antwerp, with just three starts.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media before his side host Dundee in the Scottish Cup fifth round this weekend.

Here are the key lines:

• O'Neill confirms Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will have a medical on Saturday and is "delighted" the midfielder is set to sign.

• The interim manager thinks "the football club itself has probably convinced him more than anything" of a move to Glasgow but jokes "he might come up here see what the weather is like and disappear back down again, there's a few who have done that in the past."

• O'Neill admits he "really doesn't know" when Oxlade-Chamberlain will be available to play, adding: "This boy is here to try and play and try and get into the team and try and get as fit as possible as quickly as possible. I think it would be nice to have him here with the squad just for at least these couple of months."

• The 73-year-old confirms January signings Julian Araujo, Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu have been added to Celtic's Europa League squad for the play-off games against Stuttgart.

• While Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn't been signed in time to be included, O'Neill stresses he wanted to add players who were "at the football club rather than waiting around".

• On the prospect of some Celtic fans boycotting the game on Saturday, O'Neill says proposed meetings between the board and supporter groups are "a big step forward" and hopes some "middle ground" can be found.

• And the boss admits things "being shouted across the pitch" can be "debilitating" even for players it may not have initially impacted.

• He adds: "Celtic have always prided themselves in a sort of togetherness. And it is strange really for it to be in this shape." He is hopeful talks can occur before the game against Stuttgart if not for this weekend.

• On team news, O'Neill says there are "no new injuries" but admits he'll have to "change a few players" given the busy schedule which, he notes, will be "costly" for travelling supporters.

We asked for your thoughts on Celtic's potential signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Here are some of your comments:

Tom: Celtic have brought out the best in previous players thought to be past it, so it could be a chance for him to demonstrate that on this occasion. I completely trust Martin O'Neill on this one, if he thinks he can do a job, who is anyone else to argue?

Gordy: I think it's a win-win for the club and the player. If he is fit he can contribute massively and I trust O'Neill's judgement. It's not that big a gamble as he was a big talent early in his career, overall a good move.

John: Comes with a big reputation and if O'Neill can get him back to anywhere close to his best then he'd be a good addition. He's been playing as a defensive midfielder in recent times and that's the one position that needs filled more than anything. Despite all the good qualities going forward of our midfield three defending isn't really one of them. For Celtic it's a win-win scenario where we have nothing to lose.

Awess: Celtic have benefitted greatly from having a big name on the teamsheet in the past (e.g. Joe Hart) and his presence will absolutely lift the team. He will be hungry for silverware and minutes - just what we need.

Gerry: We don't need this guy coming to Celtic. We have lost enough credibility in recent months. I hear Cristiano Ronaldo is fed up in Saudi but then he never scored at Celtic park so forget that thought.

Graeme: Form is temporary and class is permanent. Sure it won't be the same Oxlade-Chamberlain from five to10 years ago but has to be worth a punt on him.

The negotiations to bring Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Celtic have been held up, with the player's representatives keen on an option beyond the end of this season. (Daily Express), external

Celtic will reconsider a move for former Chelsea and AC Milan midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko if a deal for fellow free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain collapses. (Sky Sports via Glasgow Times, external)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen on a coaching role for former England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain once the Celtic-bound 32-year-old retires from playing. (Daily Mail), external

Nigel Adkins, who gave Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain his debut as a teenager at Southampton, reckons Celtic will be doing "a great bit of business" by taking on the playmaker. (Daily Record), external

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

It has been nine months since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain last played - he was subbed on for 11 minutes in a Turkish Super Lig game - so what exactly would Celtic be getting should the 32-year-old sign?

After six years on Merseyside Oxlade-Chamberlain left Liverpool in 2023 with winners medals from the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup.

At his peak the midfielder - a £35m signing for the Reds from Arsenal - was a pacy, dynamic and creative presence who could play anywhere across the midfielde.

But injuries have hampered his career and that explosiveness. He missed a year of football from April 2018 with knee ligament damage and was a bit-part player in his final season at Anfield following a hamstring problem.

According to Transfermarkt, external, Oxlade-Chamberlain sat out 105 Liverpool games because of injury. Despite that, the England international managed 18 goals and 14 assists in 146 appearances.

He joined Turkish side Besiktas in 2023 and made 50 appearances - including 32 starts - in his two-year spell, scoring five goals and setting up one.

He lifted the Turkish Cup during his first season but was frozen out for six months in the following campaign by former Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, before becoming a first-team mainstay in a defensive midfield role when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took charge.

Perhaps that role hints at how Martin O'Neill would utilise Oxlade-Chamberlain at Celtic.

"He could play midfield for us, easily," O'Neill said earlier this week. "Is he one of those players who could go past the players on the outside, wide? I wouldn't be sure. But he could do a job."

Oxlade-Chamberlain has 35 England caps - the last of them in 2019 - and seven international goals but missed the 2016 Euros and the 2018 World Cup through injury.

His England debut came in 2012, a year after leaving first club Southampton for Arsenal, where he won the FA Cup three times and made 198 appearances, netting 20 times and providing 25 assists. He has been training with the Gunners since his Besiktas contract was mutually terminated last August.

Oxlade-Chamberlain brings years of experience at the highest level and plenty of silverware - now it's all about proving his fitness and recapturing the form from his Premier League days.

Image source, Getty

Celtic are close to completing a deal to sign former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The 32-year-old, who has 35 England caps, is a free agent after leaving Turkish side Besiktas last August.

Oxlade-Chamberlain's last appearance came nine months ago, but he has been training with Arsenal.

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill confirmed his interest in the player this week and said: "I'd love to have him. I think in time getting into matchday mode, I don't think that would be a major problem.

"If you can get a player of that sort of calibre, that would be great. The main thing would be has he still got the desire, which I believe he has. I still believe he's young enough."

Celtic fans, are you enthused by the prospect of Oxlade-Chamberlain signing? Can he make a difference in the push for the title?

Tell us your views.

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Former Hearts boss Robbie Neilson is "really surprised" by Celtic's lack of investment during the January transfer window.

The Parkhead club - who are in a three-way title fight with leaders Hearts and Rangers - didn't buy any players, instead bringing in five on loan.

Striker Tomas Cvancara has contributed a goal and assist in his first two appearances and right-back Julian Araujo has looked a solid addition, while forwards Junior Adamu and Joel Mvuka, plus defender Benjamin Arthur, are still awaiting a debut after Wednesday night's game at Aberdeen was postponed.

"To be honest, I'm really, really surprised that they didn't invest more heavily in the January window," Neilson told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Once they made the decision about the manager and Martin O'Neill came in on a more permanent basis, I just thought they would go bit more heavy and bring some players in.

"So to bring in five loan players, it's a difficult window at the best of times to bring players in if you're spending money never mind if you're bringing loans in, because generally you're getting guys that maybe aren't involved in the club they're at.

"Time will tell if they're going to come in and really influence the squad. It's an interesting window.

"I expected a lot more business from Celtic to give them a push in the league."

Former Celtic midfielder Scott Allan believes the managerial uncertainty beyond O'Neill's interim spell, which ends in the summer, meant the board were reluctant to spend.

"It was a tough one for Celtic because as much as you want them to invest in signed players for the next one to two years, we don't know who the manager's going to be next season," said Allan.

"I think that would have played a huge part. At the start of the window I thought a lot of the business would be short term and it certainly seems that way.

"Cvancara comes in in the last couple of weeks, gets an assist against Hearts and then scores a fantastic header last weekend.

"You can't really tell about the others until we see them on the pitch, especially with the expectation, which is Celtic fans demand you perform as soon as you get in there. There's no time to settle, especially when there's so much at stake."

Celtic are moving closer to an agreement with former England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after fresh discussions between the two sides. (The Herald)

Interim manager Martin O'Neill "wasn't totally convinced" by Celtic's transfer business under now-departed head of football operations Paul Tisdale. (Sky Sports via The Herald)

Rangers legend Ally McCoist has leapt to the defence of O'Neill after the boss was criticised for saying he doesn't want the Celtic job permanently. (Daily Record)

An umbrella group of Celtic fans has formally called on rank and file supporters to boycott the Scottish Cup tie against Dundee on Saturday evening. (Scottish Sun)

O'Neill has called for unity between Celtic supporters and the club's hierarchy amid the latest boycott plans. (Scottish Sun)

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has revealed former Celtic player Bosun Lawal convinced him to choose Stoke City over the Glasgow club. (Scottish Sun)

The postponement of Celtic's game at Aberdeen has left O'Neill's side with a major fixture headache at the turn of the month. (Scottish Sun)

We asked for your thoughts on Celtic's business in the January transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Ray: It was always going to be difficult getting players in with a temporary manager, so I'm happy with who we got.

Darren: I feel it is a smart move to sign players on loan. In January you are signing players who are surplus to requirement at their clubs. Motivates the player and means the club can have a good look at them before committing significant sums of money. Don't want another Michel-Ange Balikwisha situation. Glad a right sided winger was signed but feel a defensive midfielder should have been signed to provide cover for Callum McGregor. Not worried about the striker position as Tomas Cvancara looks good and Benjamin Nygren playing just off him could be very potent.

Gordon: I can understand the loans, given we'll have a new manager once again come the summer, but are they quality additions? Only time will tell. I do think we missed an opportunity to make some quality permanent additions this window.

David: So disappointing. We should have been making signings in the first or second week of the window not panic buying at the last minute.

George: Despite what some may say, Celtic already have a decent squad which can play well under the right manager. These additions can only add to that, giving the manager options. If two of them do well, Celtic should see some silverware this season.

Sean: I think Celtic's transfer window was a bit of a joke. Have we seriously reached a new low of not buying players anymore? Just loan and hope for the best. We have yet to try and convince a decent manager to join us in the summer so that Martin O'Neill can continue his happy retirement. I don't see what kind of manager wants to come to a club not willing to buy a player and improve. Maybe someone from the MLS? The board will also look at turning down £25million for Arne Engels as something to be proud of and say that is as good as a signing. Embarrassing. Hopefully the lads we have brought in will get us over the line and, with Martin, can win the league for us.