Callum Osmand only played 125 minutes for Celtic last season, but he still managed to have a huge impact.
From his debut professional goal against Rangers to that goal against Hearts on the final day of the season, Osmand made himself known whenever he could.
But ahead of the new 2026/27 Premiership season, and Celtic’s non-World Cup players already returning for pre-season, Scott Allan has started the hype around Osmand.
Allan labelled the 20-year-old as a ‘bright spark’ and questioned whether he could be the starting striker for Martin O’Neill.
Speaking on Clyde 1, Allan thinks it’s ‘up to Osmand’ as to whether he wants to be leading the line, because he has the quality to do so.
What would your plan be for Callum Osmand next season?
Callum Osmand is Celtic’s ‘bright spark’ ahead of the new season
“That’s the same conversation we have had for the last three windows (about Celtic needing a striker),” said Allan.
“The bright spark in there is Osmand, isn’t it?! You saw how he performed in that League Cup semi-final when he came on against Rangers. He was really bright. Looks to run in behind. Finds really good positions in the box.
“Then you saw on the last day against Hearts his movement off the ball, so I think it’s a huge pre-season for him.
“Whether that remains to be seen if he is the starting number nine once the season starts. I don’t know. That’s maybe up to him.
“But they are going to need a lot of depth there, and guys with real quality, because there were just stop-gaps they were bringing in, with your Cvancara, and then Kelechi Iheanacho was a last-minute deal because they were forced to find a replacement.”
Moussa Dembele and Jeremie Frimpong are examples to Osmand
The one thing Osmand, Moussa Dembele and Jeremie Frimpong have in common is that they were signed by Celtic having never played a professional game.
Both Dembele and Frimpong were success stories in Glasgow, with the striker proving to be one of the most devastating forwards in recent times.
The now-Al-Ettifaq striker is an example to Osmand, and how he can be that much-needed forward the champions of Scotland are searching for.
It doesn’t seem as though Kelechi Iheanacho will return, and Daizen Maeda is expected to leave, so it makes a player like Osmand even more important.
Unlike Brendan Rodgers, if O’Neill treats the youngster properly and provides him with regular minutes, then there is no reason why he can’t tear up the Premiership and become Celtic’s next superstar.
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