Oxlade-Chamberlain: I thrive in Celtic Park pressure cooker

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says the intense expectation at Celtic suits him perfectly, describing the atmosphere around Celtic Park as a pressure cooker he thrives in. The former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder helped the Glasgow club complete a domestic double last season after arriving on a short-term deal in February, and he has since agreed an extension. At 32, Oxlade-Chamberlain is preparing for his first proper preseason in a good three years. He has already won a full set of major English trophies and a Champions League medal, but he insists his appetite for silverware has not dimmed. Speaking before Monday's Scottish Premiership opener against Dundee, he explained why the move felt right from the start. When the opportunity came up last year, he liked that it represented a serious challenge. He wanted to bring experience and quality to help the group, and the way the season ended felt like a fairytale. The midfielder also made clear that Celtic's standards keep him on edge. He said he has been fortunate to play in teams where winning is demanded yet hard to achieve because of competition, and that he thrives in that kind of environment. He needs that mentality now to get the best out of himself. Oxlade-Chamberlain credited the dressing room as a source of inspiration, pointing to the energy of younger players and the sustained hunger of established figures such as Callum McGregor and James Forrest. That mix, he said, is exactly what he needs. This summer has been particularly valuable because it gave him something he missed for years. Last season he spent the first half without a club after terminating his contract with Turkish side Beşiktaş, and the summer before last he was left out of the squad by then-manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Now, after a full preseason, he feels physically ready and is enjoying running alongside 16- and 17-year-olds full of enthusiasm. He admitted the real test will come over the course of the season, but right now he feels great. In other Celtic news, Ipswich have signed the club's winger Maeda.