Whatever happens in Callum Osmand’s career, he will never forget that moment for Celtic against Rangers in the League Cup semi-final.
To score a goal in the Glasgow derby is great enough, to do it at Hampden and then in a semi-final is even better.
But Osmand took it one better because this was his first professional goal, and it’s one he will remember for the rest of his life. And so will the Celtic fans.
The 19-year-old signed for the champions of Scotland in the summer, but was never seen under Brendan Rodgers until Martin O’Neill arrived.
Where has Callum Osmand been?
Following the conclusion of Celtic’s extra-time win over Rangers, that was one of the questions put to Charlie Mulgrew.
Even the former Hoops man couldn’t understand why Osmand hasn’t been playing, despite there being ‘a problem in the striker area’, as he questioned on Premier Sports (02/11/25), ‘where has Osmand been?’
Emma Dodds: “Charlie, does it beg the question why we haven’t seen him before this season?”
Mulgrew: “It definitely does. He raised the game. There has been a problem in the striker area. He came off against Falkirk, he came on against Rangers, and he looks brilliant. Confident. Powerful and a handful.
“He presses the defence. Works his way back. He had a couple of chances. Eventually took one. I mean, that was a penalty box striker’s goal, the way he gambled and got a touch on it. It was brilliant. Where has Osmand been?”
Martin O’Neill’s striker options at Celtic
Let’s be honest, Celtic’s striker situation has been a mess in 2025. Ever since Kyogo Furuhashi left Celtic for Rennes in January, it all started spiralling out of control, despite Daizen Maeda’s blistering run.
But on top of Osmand, credit should also go to Johnny Kenny, who started the game and opened the scoring before being subbed off for the Welshman after 71 minutes.
As things stand, it’s Kenny who is now Celtic’s main striker. But is this how they now order up?
- Johnny Kenny
- Callum Osmand
- Daizen Maeda
- Shin Yamada
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