Callum Osmand had quite the day at Hampden Park yesterday. The young forward, who joined Celtic from Fulham in the summer, has largely been out of sight this season, plying his trade with the B Team and missing out on Brendan Rodgers’ European squad.
But under interim boss Martin O’Neill, the teenager finally got his moment in the spotlight, and he seized it in dramatic fashion.
After catching the eye with a lively cameo in O’Neill’s first game in charge against Falkirk, Osmand was again called upon at Hampden in the League Cup semi-final against theRangers. With the match deep into extra time and Celtic holding a slender lead, the 19-year-old struck the decisive blow, showing a poacher’s instinct to turn in Kieran Tierney’s driven cross and seal a 3-1 victory.
It was the kind of finish every striker dreams about, and it sent Celtic through to a League Cup Final date on Sunday 14 December against St Mirren.
Osmand’s joy was clear for all to see. The youngster even joined the Premier Sports post-match interviews, still buzzing from the occasion. He said:
“From day one, [O’Neill] just spoke to me and said he thinks very highly of me. 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 and trust. That’s all you need from a manager — one person to believe in you and push you on.”
Reflecting on his Hampden heroics, Osmand added, “It’s going to be the craziest day of my life. There’s nothing that can really top this — unless I score against them in the final!”
While Osmand was basking in his breakthrough moment, his manager was already making sure his feet stayed firmly on the ground. O’Neill, never one to shy away from a reality check, was quick to balance praise with perspective.
“The other lad’s an interesting character,” O’Neill smiled.
“He’s got plenty of confidence. When he learns to play centre forward properly, it’ll be great. He does a bit of flicking here and there, but he’s sharp and he wants to go. And he got the goal — and certainly celebrated it! But if the game had gone to penalties and Rangers had won, I might not have seen him tomorrow… he missed a great chance before that!”
When asked later if it was pleasing to see Osmand grab his first senior goal, O’Neill’s response was typically wry, “Yeah, delighted. Didn’t he milk it as well?”
The veteran manager’s words might sound harsh to some, but in truth they’re a masterclass in man management. O’Neill has long been regarded as one of the game’s great motivators, a coach who understands players as people, not just footballers. His comments weren’t about dampening the excitement, but about shaping Osmand’s mindset for the long haul.
Had results been different, such remarks might have been viewed as unnecessary criticism of a young player on the rise. But with Celtic buoyant under O’Neill and a cup final on the horizon, his approach will be seen for what it is, the careful guiding hand of experience.
Callum Osmand has only two senior appearances to his name, but one of them has already given him hero status among the Celtic faithful. O’Neill’s message is simple, enjoy the moment, but understand why you were needed in the first place. Osmand’s extra-time goal came only after a glaring earlier miss, one his manager is determined he’ll learn from.
It was subtle but effective from O’Neill, praise mixed with a pinch of humility. He knows that in football, you’re only ever a moment away from being the villain rather than the hero. For Osmand, the lesson is clear, you’re a centre-forward first, an entertainer second in a Martin O’Neill team.
At Hampden, Callum Osmand announced himself to the Celtic support. Martin O’Neill, meanwhile, ensured that the story doesn’t end there.
Man management at its best.
Niall J
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Personally believe that the bigger credit should be given to maloney imo.
Think he’s the one responsible for seeing closer of what Osmand is capable of producing.
Agreed that MoN and his man management will be huge for not just Osmand, but the squad as a whole imo.
It’s understandable for a youngster to savour such moments, especially when in the infantry of a career only starting off.
Finding consistency is the secret, especially at a big club with huge demands like ourselves.
Been our sticking point, for way too long, where development has been hampered by the lack of opportunities available with ourselves in general.
Already seen signs of that potentially changing this season, especially with the squad building process that was taken imo?
Hopefully the changes within the coaching staff undertaken will be more beneficial for ourselves.
Also think MoN will work more closely and value the opinions of the coaching staff in place now?
Still don’t think that was in operation under Rodgers myself, where his own decision making took preference over everything imo?
I think he also suggested he ( CO ) should watch a few of Henriks video’s … this will do him no harm at all , might see him end up top scorer if he gets the game time .