The disco lights are on standby as the 32-year-old closes in on securing his Celtic transfer
Chamberlain is following Hart to Celtic (Image: Action Images via Reuters)
Incoming Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain arrived in Glasgow on Saturday morning to put the finishing touches on his transfer to Celtic.
And now match-going fans, those who won’t be taking tonight’s proposed boycott, are itching for a glimpse of the former Arsenal and Liverpool standout when they host Dundee in their fifth round Scottish Cup clash on Saturday evening,
Beaming boss Martin O’Neill championed the impending move on Friday before underlining his belief that the 32-year-old can make an immediate impact.
Oxlade-Chamberlain will undergo his medical before putting his signature to the verbally agreed six-month contract which comes with an option to extend by a further year.
Amid the festering recriminations from a section of the support, punters are hopeful Oxlade-Chamberlain is the special guest as O’Neill and his revamped starting XI aim to prove too much for an improving Dundee side.
If Oxlade-Chamberlain’s transfer is rubber-stamped before kick-off then punters would love to catch a glimpse of the former England international before or during half time.
Celtic have previously unveiled new arrivals in similar fashion but none were more dramatic than when misfiring striker Vakoun Bayo when he emerged from the dark of the disco lights against St Mirren following his £2million transfer.
Bayo is unveiled in spectacular fashion
Such pomp and ceremony would seem fitting for a former Champions League winner who is aiming to reignite his career north of the border.
And Oxlade-Chamberlain’s imminent arrival has led to game-mad punters spotting the unlikely connection with his fellow cover stars of the UK version of FIFA ’13.
The midfielder made the cut alongside then Manchester City keeper Joe Hart with world superstar Lionel Messi taking the lead.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move makes him the second man from that edition who will don the famous hoops but self-aware Celtic fans will likely concede tempting Messi to Scotland might prove even beyond O’Neill’s ability to talk up a potential move to the Premiership champions.
The Ox, Messi and Hart were cover stars together
Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the-minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.
You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Celtic page and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.
We’re also on WhatsApp, where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport’s newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.