New Hoops hero Callum Osmand revealed that the biggest change since Martin O’Neill’s return to Celtic has been the belief and confidence the manager has shown in him, something he felt was missing under Brendan Rodgers…
The former Fulham forward, who had not made an appearance under Rodgers since joining in the summer, was immediately brought into the fold by O’Neill, earning a 15-minute runout late in the 4-0 midweek victory over Falkirk.
He was introduced early in the second half of Sunday’s Premier Sports League Cup semi-final against theRangers and marked the occasion perfectly, scoring his first goal for Celtic and his senior career in extra-time to seal a 3-1 victory and a place in the final against St Mirren.
Osmand admitted that while Rodgers challenged him to develop as a player, it was O’Neill’s decision to finally give him an opportunity on the pitch that has truly boosted his confidence.
Speaking via Daily Record, Osmand said: “From day one, he just spoke to me and said he thinks very highly of me. Staff think highly of me and that just gives you the boost you need really. Under both managers, they were both pushing me but Martin’s just given me that confidence when he’s come in and given me the trust really.”
“That’s all you need from a manager. It only takes one person to believe in you and then push you on. Hopefully, this is just the start for me but obviously, I’ve got to keep building and pushing on. It feels amazing. Like I said, there’s no words to describe today.”
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“It’s going to be the craziest day of my life ever,” he added. “There’s nothing that can really top this unless scoring against them in the final. This is the best day of my life.”
A moment that will live with @callum_osmand forever 🙌
The pitchside view of his first @CelticFC goal and the celebration that followed at Hampden this afternoon 🍀#PremierSportsCup | @spfl pic.twitter.com/KuDwOGHASo
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) November 2, 2025
Despite his Hampden heroics, Osmand will be unavailable for Celtic’s trip to Denmark on Thursday against Midtjylland because Brendan Rodgers did not include him in the Europa League back in September. Hopefully he’ll travel with the team to get some experience of away matches in European football. I expect we’ll be seeing him on Sunday at Celtic Park when Kilmarnock are the visitors.
Conor Spence
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If it was said a few weeks ago, that we were going to use Kenny and Osmand as strikers yesterday, there would have been uproar within our club.
Yet that’s a prospect developing now for ourselves?
Wouldn’t totally rule out shin either at this stage, especially when a far higher requirement seems to be upon our strikers, getting into goal scoring positions within the penalty area.
Hard to see where kelchi might fit into the renewed striker role, especially as it calls upon being far more direct towards goal.
Maybe Thursday might offer that, but think Maeda might still be favourite for the position, for when the change might come after Kenny starting imo?
The biggest tests for Kenny and Osmand, will possibly come, when the backs to the wall, anti football approach that killie will offer up next Sunday.
Far less space and room to operate within, is going to be a bigger test for themselves to overcome.
Saying that, if we continue to get the ball into the right areas for themselves, then maybe the loss of kyogo might have been finally resolved imo?