Callum Osmand has reflected on a rollercoaster first season at Celtic, admitting the highs and lows of the campaign have accelerated his growth as a player after helping seal the Premiership title against Hearts.
The 20-year-old marked his return from a lengthy injury lay-off with a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 3-1 victory at Tynecastle, a result that confirmed Celtic as champions.
“It’s surreal,” Osmand said via Celtic’s official YouTube channel. “It’s still not sunk in yet, but it’s an amazing feeling to be champions.”
Osmand arrived from Fulham last summer and quickly made headlines after scoring in the League Cup semi-final over the Ibrox club. But his momentum was halted soon after when he suffered a serious hamstring injury during his European debut.
“I had the best feeling of my life to the worst feeling of my life,” he said. “It took me a while to earn that chance and then it was gone within a week.
“The last six months have been really tough. It’s been a grind. But now I feel better than I ever have.”
Back in the starting line-up against Hearts, the striker wasted little time making his presence felt. Osmand first created Daizen Maeda’s opener before adding a goal of his own after spotting goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow stranded in Celtic’s own half.
“I didn’t even realise at first,” he explained. “I thought there was still a keeper in goal. Then I looked up and thought, ‘Oh, there’s no keeper’.
“It was crazy,” Osmand said. “I don’t think I could see for about 30 seconds. Everyone was just ecstatic.”
Despite enduring an injury-disrupted campaign, the forward believes the setbacks have strengthened him mentally and physically ahead of next season.
“I’ve learned so much,” he said. “About myself, about how demanding this level is. I’m sort of grateful for it in a way. It’s helped me having those ups and downs. It really matures you.”
I want to be more involved next year,” he added. Get my name out there and make more of an impact.”
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