What a week it has been for Callum Osmand at Celtic.
Only last week, Osmand was watching on from home as Celtic were beaten by Hearts at Tynecastle to fall eight points behind the Premiership leaders.
But fast forward to the present, and following Rodgers’ abrupt exit from Celtic, the tone and tide have changed for Osmand in the famous green and white colours.
Martin O’Neill has played a huge part in there being lift off in Osmand’s Celtic career, as was proven against Rangers on Sunday at Hampden.
Callum Osmand on Martin O’Neill chat after Brendan Rodgers’ exit
Osmand made his professional debut against Falkirk in midweek. He looked lively from the bench, but then took it to another level by scoring in the League Cup semi-final.
Celtic fans are wondering where Osmand has been all this time, especially given the team’s struggles in front of goal.
Speaking to Premier Sports, after Celtic beat Rangers in extra-time, Osmand shared that O’Neill has provided him with ‘confidence’ and ‘trust’, something that seemingly wasn’t there with the previous manager.
“So, from day one, he (O’Neill) spoke to me and said he thinks really highly of me,” shared Osmand. “The staff think highly of me, and that gives you the boost you need, really.
“Under both managers, they were both pushing me, but Martin has just given me, yeah, he has given me that confidence when he has come in, and given me the trust really. That’s all you need from a manager.
“It just takes one person to believe in you and push you on. Hopefully, this is just the start, and I have to keep building and pushing on.”
Osmand admits ‘pain’ after signing for Celtic
Osmand was signed as one of several strikers, alongside Shin Yamada and Kelechi Iheanacho, to fill the void left by Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah.
Rodgers clearly wanted a proven striker, hence why fans hardly saw Osmand, and they have also seen very little of Yamada.
But Osmand made it clear that those ‘painful’ days outside of the matchday squads have made him stronger.
“Yeah, you get those points (where you think it might not happen at Celtic), but that’s the thing that builds you as a person and a player,” stated Osmand.
“Those moments, when I am not in squads and I am running in the rain, up and down the pitch on my own, with a couple of other boys, it’s painful, but I feel they are the bits that create you as a player.
“Then prepare you for these moments, and I just have to take it. I am really happy.”
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