NEW BHOY CAUGHT

Hoops fans prepare for protest but Ox is on his way in with star ready to sign up for title fight

- BY RYAN MCDONALD

MARTIN O'NEILL has confirmed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on the verge of joining Celtic - with a medical booked today.

But the ex-Arsenal and Liverpool star WON'T be included in the club's Europa League squad.

Free agent Oxlade-Chamberlain has agreed a short-term deal with the champs after holding talks with O'Neill, left.

The 32-year-old hasn't kicked a competitive ball since quitting Besiktas in May but has been training with the Gunners to keep fit. And O'Neill hopes the 35-times-capped England star will add quality to the engine room.

He said: "I spoke to him this morning. I think he wants to come and I think he's coming. I would have assumed he's had a number of options. I think there was even talk that Arsenal might take him on because they might pick up a couple of injuries.

"So I'm delighted that he's going to come. I think he's doing a medical and all being well, I'm hoping that he signs on." Former Celtic hero Joe Hart helped sell the Hoops to his former England team-mate. But O'Neill said: "I think the football club itself probably has convinced him more than anything else.