Callum Osmand relishing the challenge of establishing himself as a Celtic striker after his glory moments last season…
It’s a challenging season ahead for the Celtic squad with new faces expected to arrive in several areas of the park, and one man in particular will find it even tougher to get minutes given the two new arrivals he’s now got to contend with in order to get his chance to establish himself as a regular starter.
🍀 “Celtic, Champions AGAIN!”
Callum Osmand ensures Celtic’s title is retained by tapping the ball into an empty net ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/AVUZtqAIEH
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 16, 2026
Callum Osmand, the highly rated 20 year old who was signed from Fulham last summer had a mixed experience last campaign, having impressed in stages only to succumb to long term injury, but signed off last campaign with an unforgettable goal in an unforgettable last day title win.
It’s a goal Callum himself has watched back hundreds of times and let’s face it, so have we all.
After a full pre season, Callum is now fighting fit and raring to go, but faces a huge obstacle in his way in the shape of new additions £5.5m Camilo Duran, and £11 million man Kasper Hogh, both of whom will undoubtedly be seen as automatic first choice picks ahead of the Jersey born youngster.
That hasn’t fazed Callum, and he’s relishing the challenge ahead. Speaking in an interview with The Scotsman, the 20 year old spoke of the challenge awaiting him.
“At every club, you always have someone competing with you,” said Osmand. “It’s good as it keeps us pushing each other to get better. You have to be playing better to get a game when there’s more quality in the squad. It will be a good thing for all three of us to push each other.
“Camilo laughs a lot but I’m not sure he understands much!”
“They are good lads. Kasper is a bit of a character – but he’s a good character. He is a funny guy. He is a very confident guy. You can feel he’s someone who’s not worried about opinions. He knows what he wants.
“He is quite a loud guy as well. He’s confident, he’s not afraid and he’s come in and is talking to everyone. He seems like a really nice guy and hopefully he does well.
“Camilo laughs a lot but I’m not sure he understands much! There’s a bit of a language barrier there but he’s funny guy, too.”
Callum also spoke of how Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus, and of course Martin O’Neill have helped shape both his ability and confidence.
Martin O’Neill gave Osmand confidence
“They have been the main part of it,” he said. “Martin came in for his first game and I played, so that showed some belief in me. It really helped me with my confidence.
“Shaun, Fozzy and Mick all speak to me a lot about where they see me fitting in and what they need from me. It has all been really positive and I feel a big part of the squad now. It’s good to feel that you’re wanted around the place and hopefully I can prove something this year.
“Kyogo was here before and my goal was to bring what he brought,” Callum Osmand
“At Fulham, Raul Jimenez, Rodrigo Muniz and Carlos Vinicius were ahead of me. It was a weird one because [then manager] Marco Silva wanted a certain calibre of striker – a certain build. It was a different situation but it’s always tough when you have big names ahead of you and you’re young. It is just about showing what you can do. It’s easier as the years go on.
“Certain managers want certain things and it’s about finding where you are needed and where you are wanted. That was one of the reasons I came up here. Kyogo was here before and my goal was to bring what he brought. It would be amazing if I could bring anything near that.”
Callum will most likely start on the bench in Monday’s home clash against Dundee, but he will in no doubt get the chance to impress over the course of the season.
It could be the year he makes his name as Celtic’s super-sub on a regular basis and as his goals tally rises he will no doubt get his chance to start as Martin O’Neill rotates his squad, especially around the vital European matches.
Callum Osmand also delivered the message that changed the destination of the Scottish Premiership title as you can see from the photograph below.
Callum Osmand hasn’t played much first team football, indeed it’s all been at Celtic. Martin O’Neill rates the young striker very highly indeed and if he’s patient he could go onto establish himself as a Celtic talisman in seasons to come, just like Kyogo did.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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