Callum Osmand has joined the growing list of people calling for a Martin O’Neill statue at Celtic Park.
Already a Celtic legend, O’Neill returned to Glasgow for two interim spells this season in which he oversaw a significant upturn in the team’s results.
Put simply, if it wasn’t for him, Hearts would be Scottish Premiership champions. Instead, the Hoops delivered a title that didn’t look possible at points.
Few players this season owe as much of a debt to O’Neill as Osmand, whose Hoops career was launched by two vital shows of faith.
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Callum Osmand: Martin O’Neill’s Celtic future is in his hands
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Osmand was asked about the possibility of O’Neill staying on as manager, replying: “That’s probably in Martin’s hands…
“But he’s been amazing for us.
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“You can’t overstate what he’s done for the club. He’s pulled us out, saved us and won us a title. So yeah, it’s in his hands.
“He’s fantastic, and it’s up to him.”
Asked if he’ll be signing the petition for a statue of O’Neill on the Celtic Way, he said: “Oh, 100%. I’ll be there.
“I’ll build it myself! I’ll be carving it at home. But no, he’s fantastic.”
It’s been a turbulent debut season in Glasgow for Osmand, but his patience has been rewarded with the ultimate ending.
Brought to Glasgow on a free transfer from Fulham last summer, he was given no senior minutes by Brendan Rodgers and earmarked for a loan move.
Remaining at the club and working hard in the background instead, he was brought into the squad immediately for O’Neill’s first interim game against Falkirk, making his senior debut from the bench.
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That Sunday, he appeared from the bench again, only this time, he scored in Celtic’s 3-1 win over Rangers. First senior goals don’t come in much better circumstances.
However, things took a downwards turn in Celtic’s next game, when Osmand suffered a hamstring injury which kept him out for six months.
What better way to return, then, than scoring the goal which won Celtic the Scottish Premiership title against Hearts?
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