What a breath of fresh air Callum Osmand has been for Celtic.
It’s crazy to think that for several months, Osmand was sitting on the sidelines for Celtic, while the team was struggling to create chances and score goals.
Yet, the 19-year-old, who was signed in the summer from Fulham under the now-departed Brendan Rodgers, has looked and played like a real livewire since Martin O’Neill took charge.
It’s even crazier that Osmand was playing only his second professional match on Sunday, as he scored to help Celtic down 10-man Rangers in extra time at Hampden.
Whilst the Celtic Park faithful, O’Neill, Shaun Maloney, and the teenager’s family will be delighted with his cameo performances, so will a certain Craig Bellamy.
Wales boss Craig Bellamy will be delighted with Callum Osmand’s Celtic performances
Funnily enough, Bellamy has been linked to the Celtic job, but right now, all his focus is on trying to help Wales qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The November international break is coming up, and Wales, who are sitting third in Group J, have crucial games against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia to deal with.
Unlike England, France or Portugal, the Welsh aren’t blessed with depth in talent, so Bellamy has to scour Europe, and divisions below the top-tier, to try and put a squad together.
Osmand has represented Wales at the younger age groups, and whether or not he gets selected this week remains to be seen.
But if the Fulham academy product continues in his ways, and helps Celtic march forward after an abject start to the season, then there is no reason why he shouldn’t become a Wales international sooner rather than later.
That then allows Bellamy to pick from a bigger pool, especially for attack-minded players, which benefits the former Celtic striker, Wales’ chances going forward, and Osmand himself.
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