Martin O’Neill has already made the biggest decision of Callum Osmand’s Celtic career after working with the young striker last season.
The Celtic boss played Osmand in some of the biggest games of the season against Rangers and Hearts and the young striker did not disappoint.
Scoring in the League Cup semi-final win against Rangers and then in the Celtic Park title decider against Hearts, Osmand’s start in Glasgow has been excellent despite his injury setback.
And it looks like O’Neill has big plans for the young Celtic striker according to Osmand’s former coach, Paul Renton.
What would your plan be for Callum Osmand next season?
Why Martin O’Neill trusts Callum Osmand at Celtic
Renton was speaking in glowing terms about Osmand as he revealed what he knows about O’Neill’s feelings towards the young Celtic striker.
The Jersey Red Bulls coach told The Scottish Sun, “Callum hasn’t played many games for Celtic because of that injury, but he has shown what he’s all about.
“He waited patiently for his chance to begin with. He scored the goal against Rangers and then he picked up a bad injury.
“That would have been so tough for anyone, but Callum worked so hard to come back — and he really delivered when Celtic needed him.
“I can’t imagine what the pressure must have felt like when he came on to that pitch against Hearts.
“There were 60,000 supporters there, it was 1-1 in a title decider and there wasn’t a lot of time left.
“I know Martin O’Neill believes in Callum and he showed why with his impact. He got the assist and scored the clincher, which said everything about his talent and character.
“Callum turned up in a big game, and his performance showed exactly what he can bring to Celtic next season.”
Callum Osmand’s numbers suggest Celtic have something worth developing
Osmand is far from the finished article. However, his stats even from his limited minutes on the pitch tell O’Neill and Celtic fans that the striker has got talent.
- 2 appearances in the Premiership
- 31 minutes
- 1 goal
- 1 assist
- 7.20 average rating
- 2 shots
- 100% shots on target
- 0.99 expected goals
Not only that, Osmand showed against Rangers and Hearts that when O’Neill called on him, he completely changed the nature of both games with his attacking threat and electric pace.
Callum Osmand still has plenty to prove, but the biggest hurdle facing any young Celtic player has already been cleared.
Martin O’Neill has shown he trusts him when the pressure is at its highest, and that’s not a decision managers make lightly.
Paul Renton’s words explain where that belief comes from, while Osmand’s early contributions suggest O’Neill’s trust has been well placed.
The challenge for Osmand now isn’t convincing O’Neill. It’s making sure he continues to develop and contribute next season as the Celtic boss believes he can.
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