Callum Osmand reflects on ‘dream’ start to Celtic career

Celtic forward Callum Osmand is intent on building on a “dream” start to his senior career after capitalising on a show of faith from caretaker boss Martin O’Neill.

The 19-year-old Welshman has had to be patient since arriving in the summer from Fulham after being unable to get any game time under previous manager Brendan Rodgers.

But after making his senior debut as a late substitute in O’Neill’s first match in interim charge against Falkirk last Wednesday, Osmand marked his second appearance by scoring the Hoops’ third goal in their 3-1 extra-time win over Rangers in Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final.

“It’s been crazy,” Osmand said, as he spoke at the opening of Celtic’s new flagship store in central Glasgow on Tuesday. “It’s just been a dream come true.

“It’s been what I’ve been working for my whole life, to play in these sort of games, so it’s hard to put into words. But that’s what I want to keep doing, keep playing. It really gives you that boost to keep pushing.

“Obviously Sunday was just a start, though. I don’t want to get too ahead of myself, because as quickly as it can become good, it can also go on the downside as well. I’ve just got to keep my head down and keep working. But obviously it’s a great start for me, I’m really happy.

“I can’t thank the staff enough. Martin and then obviously there’s been Shaun (Maloney) and Mark Fotheringham and a few others. They’ve all just been so supportive and good with me. There’s no words I can say to thank them enough.”

Osmand joined Celtic on a four-year contract in June. He admitted it was “tough” being on the periphery of Rodgers’ squad earlier in the season but is delighted at how things are shaping up for him overall.

“It wasn’t easy,” he said of his early months at Celtic. “Obviously it’s tough not being in squads, it sort of feels like you’re, not an outsider, but it feels like you’re not giving as much as you want to give. But hopefully now I can just keep pushing on.

“I wasn’t really too sure on what to expect when I came up here. But if you’d told me a year ago that I’d be doing what I am now, I would have been so happy, even if I wasn’t playing.

“I was just going to come in and obviously if I’d played, I would have been happy. If I didn’t play, then I knew it might take some time.

“I’m just happy where I am at the moment. Hopefully I can keep playing, keep chipping away and just see where that takes me.”

Osmand was not included in Celtic’s initial Europa League squad but the club have the option of enlisting him in place of long-term injury victim Cameron Carter-Vickers ahead of Thursday’s clash with Midtjylland in Denmark.

“Obviously that’s not my decision,” said the striker. “Europe is the biggest stage, so I would love to play in those sort of games, but that’s not my say.”