Sources have told Football Insider that Martin O’Neill feels Celtic should take up their option to extend Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contract for a further year. Celtic are keen to delay their final decision regarding the former Liverpool player’s future until a new manager is in place, but sources say O’Neill is supporting his stay being extended regardless of who takes charge. Oxlade-Chamberlain’s stay at Celtic Park for next season is considered likely, provided that he is keen to extend his deal, because he has become an increasingly significant influence on the team in recent weeks.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the 32-year-old English central midfielder, joined Celtic on a short-term deal as a free agent in February after being released by Besiktas in August the previous year. He has six league games and two Scottish Cup-ties in which to earn a contract extension at the champions. In the Scottish Premiership this season, he has made 7 appearances, scoring 1 goal. The midfielder has 35 caps and 7 goals for England and his current Transfermarkt market value is €1.50m. Before his move to Scotland, he had been linked with clubs including Arsenal and Leeds United.