Callum McGregor has heaped praise on Hampden heroes Callum Osmand and Johnny Kenny after their performances in Celtic’s 3-1 victory over theRangers on Sunday…
McGregor netted the decisive goal over the weekend with a powerful strike from distance that beat theRangers goalkeeper Jack Butland.
Johnny Kenny found the net in the first half with a bullet header, and 19 year-old forward Callum Osmand later wrapped up the win for Celtic during the second half of extra-time with his debut senior goal.
Martin O’Neill’s side have now booked their place in the Premier Sports League Cup final when they will face St Mirren at the national stadium next month.
Speaking in the mixed-zone post-match, McGregor said: “It’s always an opportunity for every player when they come in [Kenny and Osmand]. They’re working so hard to develop and get to the level of the first-team boys.”
“Johnny scored two during the week, and you just know, I’ve been around football a long time, I just knew he would have an impact today. He has taken himself to another level in terms of status now, scoring against Rangers, and he’ll be brimming with confidence.”
McGregor added: “The same with young Ozzy, who’s worked so hard. There have been times when he’s been out of the squad, but he’s a player who trains so hard every day and has a nice finish as well.
“He’s just going to keep developing, and strikers with confidence can go and conquer the world,” the Celtic skipper continued. “I think it’s a big day. In a semi-final, if you win, you get a chance to go to the final. If you don’t, it probably just keeps more pressure on what’s been a challenging start to the season.”
“The slate was cleaned. The performance on Wednesday night was excellent, and then to come and deliver on a big day today shows me how much talent and ambition is in that dressing room.”
Conor Spence
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Our lack of goals, has been a massive problem for ourselves within the start of the season.
Already a costly factor for ourselves.
I understand that the amount of firepower has been promoted hugely as the main reason for the likes. Still believe that the lack of creating such opportunities was a bigger issue myself.
Regardless didn’t expect Kenny to be leading the change in actually converting chances for sure.
Despite a return to scoring goals, our conversion rate could still do with improving still, despite creating far more goal scoring opportunities available within our team.
Kenny, nygren and Osmand have all had huge opportunities available to themselves already in just 2 games recently, that weren’t taken.
Hopefully that increases, with confidence, but at least none of the 3 have went into hiding, with missed opportunities.
Always helpful if a few more are contributing also, and delighted to see calmac finding the net also recently.
Very hard to remain a successful team, that’s unable to score goals, especially in Scottish football.
Still expect some teams to be facing some hammerings when our conversation rate improves as a result imo.
Kenny and kelchi as leading the line as strikers, with the potential of Osmand, shin and Maeda as goal poachers, may well turn out to be successful yet, especially with contributions from the wide areas, along with midfielders.