​Callum Osmand’s time with Celtic last season was dotted with moments of real glory, even though his playing minutes fell short of what he hoped for. Much of that limited action came during Martin O’Neill’s two interim spells in charge, and it was further curtailed by a serious hamstring injury suffered in the Europa League clash with Midtjylland. Despite the setbacks, the standout moments were memorable. He will surely be remembered for a League Cup semi-final goal against Rangers at Hampden, a strike that underscored his potential in high-stakes games. The pictures from Celtic v Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden on 2 November 2025 capture a landmark moment for Osmand and for the club’s campaign that season.
Even more significant, perhaps, was his late winner in the title-deciding match against Hearts, delivered in the dying seconds of the final game. That goal helped seal Celtic’s league title in dramatic fashion and etched itself into the club’s history as one of the season’s defining moments. Now, Osmand is determined to prove that he can repay the faith through a sustained run of minutes across a full campaign, not merely deliver moments off the bench when called upon.
In conversations with the national press this week, Callum outlined his plan to press his case for more first-team opportunities in the coming season. He has already held discussions with Celtic’s coaches Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham, and he intends to speak with Martin O’Neill to lay out his vision directly to the manager.
“I’ve seen some coverage suggesting this is now about proving I can do it against everyone, not just producing a few big moments,” Osmand told the Scottish Sun. “I want to push myself to perform week in, week out, not just be a moments player. I want to stake my claim and show I can contribute consistently, not only in flashes. My aim this year is to give what I can all the time, rather than sporadically.”
The gratitude he feels toward Martin O’Neill is clear. O’Neill’s presence at the club has been a source of steady confidence for Osmand, and his goal against Hearts has perhaps become one of Celtic’s most watched goals in recent memory. Osmand was quick to acknowledge that he hasn’t yet had a formal sit-down with the manager, but intends to set aside time to present his case and discuss his role more comprehensively.
“I haven’t had a chance to speak with him yet,” he admitted. “That’s something I need to do, and I’ll make it a priority.” Osmand went on to explain that, upon returning to Glasgow, he would arrange a meeting with the manager to go through the specifics of his plan, while he continues to engage with Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham on broader topics and ongoing development.
There is a sense of optimism within the camp about O’Neill’s return to Celtic, especially given that the manager signed a one-year contract with an extra year option. Osmand is acutely aware that O’Neill is prepared to give him opportunities, and he feels a renewed obligation to repay that faith with improved consistency and impact.
“It’s fantastic that he’s stayed,” Osmand said. “I’m very happy he’s still here, and I genuinely hope he can make use of me this year. I want to be ready, reliable, and capable of delivering at a higher level so that I’m not just a supplier of moments but a consistent contributor across the campaign.” As the new season approaches, Osmand’s focus is clear: establish himself as a regular, deliver steady performances, and help Celtic build on the successes of the previous year. He recognizes that the time is now to translate potential into regular progress, to convert the occasional standout display into a sustained, meaningful impact across all competitions.