A week of emotional goodbyes and fresh beginnings at Celtic Park

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The Celtic Star

·1 luglio 2025

A week of emotional goodbyes and fresh beginnings at Celtic Park

It’s been a week of emotional goodbyes and fresh beginnings at Celtic Park…

Callum Osmand signs for Celtic. Photo Celtic FC

Daniel Cummings has left Celtic to sign for West Ham. Photo West Ham Utd

OneFootball Video

The latest, officially at least, as it seems we’ve known about this one for an age, is Daniel Cummings. A standout of the Celtic Academy has officially left the club following the expiry of his contract.

The 19-year-old striker has joined Premier League side West Ham United, sharing his heartfelt farewell on social media.

“After 13 years at my boyhood club, today I have officially left Celtic, I just want to say a massive thank you to all the coaches and staff, and everyone associated with the club. It has been a pleasure.

“Another massive thank you to all the boys. It has been a great journey and I have made memories for life. I wish the club and everyone else the best of luck in the future. Hail Hail.”

His message echoed the journey of many other Hoops hopefuls – except this one had a wee bit of an extra sting. Cummings wasn’t just another academy lad. He was a player many behind the scenes believed could have broken through.

Just 24 hours earlier, Celtic announced the signing of Callum Osmand, also 19, from Fulham. A forward with blistering pace and a real eye for goal, Osmand becomes the latest addition to Brendan Rodgers’ summer upgrading of his squad.

Two players. Two cross-border moves. And yet, in many ways, their stories mirror each other.

Daniel Cummings, Arne Engels and Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, applauds the fans after the team’s defeat during the UEFA Champions League match between Aston Villa and Celtic at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Both are highly rated at youth level – Cummings with Scotland, Osmand having switched allegiance from England to Wales. Both had options on the table. And both, quite tellingly, felt more valued across the border than they did at the clubs they’re leaving behind.

So, what do we make of this curious swap – one out, one in – and who is more likely to succeed at their new club?

Daniel Cummings of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Youth League 2024/25 match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Lesser Hampden on November 05, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Daniel Cummings’ numbers speak for themselves. In his career to date he bagged 38 goals in 57 appearances for Celtic’s B Team in the Lowland League, and a further six in 12 at Uefa Youth Cup level. He scored in the Youth Cup Final, and he even made a cameo off the bench for the first team in the Champions League at Villa Park.

There’s no doubt he’s a natural finisher. His movement is sharp, and he has that knack for being in the right place at the right time. But questions remain over whether he’s athletic enough to make the leap to senior football down south. He’s not lightning quick, and at Premier League level, that matters.

Daniel Cummings of Celtic scores his team’s second goal during the Celtic v Slovan Bratislava – UEFA Youth League 2024/25 match at The City Stadium on September 18, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

West Ham have reportedly offered him a lucrative deal and a chance to develop under their U21 setup. But he’s now entering a system that’s notoriously tough for young players to break through. Expect a few loan moves before he gets near the first team – if he gets there at all.

The move is bold. Ambitious. Perhaps even a little premature. But you can’t fault a player for chasing his dream.

Callum Osmand of Fulham U21, U 21 scores the teams 1st goal during the U21 Premier League Cup final match between Fulham U21 and Tottenham Hotspur U21 at Craven Cottage, London, England on 16 May 2024. Photo Andy Rowlandx PMI

Callum Osmand may not have produced the same number of goals so far, but his CV is no less impressive.

A product of Fulham’s youth system, Osmand scored 10 goals in 17 Premier League 2 appearances last season, adding four assists for good measure. He also starred in their Premier League Cup win, netting a hat-trick in the final. Fast, mobile and aggressive, he’s the type of striker that suits Brendan Rodgers’ high-pressing, possession-based style.

Where Cummings brings poaching instincts, Osmand offers dynamism. He can stretch defences, drop deep to link play, and lead the line or play off another striker, perhaps more project Kyogo than next Giakoumakis.

London, England, 16th May 2024. Callum Osmand of Fulham celebrates his third goal with the match ball during the Premier League Cup match at Craven Cottage. Photo : David Klein Sportimage

But more importantly, Osmand arrives at Celtic Park with a clear pathway. By the player’s own admittance Rodgers played a key role in convincing him to join – outlining a vision that includes first-team opportunities in the months ahead. With Celtic challenging on multiple fronts domestically and in Europe, there’ll be games to be had.

On raw finishing, Cummings might just edge it. He’s clinical when he’s on it, as we saw from those Uefa Youth League fixtures. But football isn’t just about goals – it’s about systems, fit, and of course opportunity as well.

Osmand steps into a club that wants him now, not later. He has a manager who believes in him and a squad where competition will push him, not bury him. He’s ready to contribute straight away – and that matters.

London, England, 16th May 2024. Callum Osmand of Fulham celebrates his three goal with the trophy during the Premier League Cup match at Craven Cottage, London. Photo David Klein / Sportimage

Cummings, meanwhile, faces a longer road. Yes, the Premier League is the dream for most young players these days. But how many Scottish talents have made that jump too soon, only to get lost in the shuffle? For every Andy Robertson, there’s a dozen forgotten names bouncing around the loan system even as we speak.

It’s always painful to lose a promising youngster – especially one who came through Lennoxtown, is a supporter of the club, and looked like he might just make the leap. But let’s be honest, as much as it pains to say, Celtic can’t compete financially with England’s top flight. What we can offer is a clear route to senior football, European exposure, and a support base like no other.

Osmand sees that. And in a way, his arrival feels like a course correction. Celtic may have lost one young striker, but they’ve brought in another who fits the club’s direction – and who, crucially, chose this path.

Ben Doak and Greg Taylor of Celtic celebriate victory after the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on February 02, 2022. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Daniel Cummings leaves with everyone’s best wishes, and more than a few concerns about managing young players contracts behind the scenes, particularly so soon after losing what may have been a generational talent in Ben Doak.

Cummings’ journey from the Celtic Academy to the bright lights of the Premier League is something he should carry with pride, no matter where it leads.

But Callum Osmand arrives at Celtic with timing, talent, and seemingly the right temperament to boot. If he hits the ground running, he could be the next young player to prosper under Brendan Rodgers’ watch.

In this tale of two 19-year-olds, Celtic may just have made the smarter bet, but after a 24-hour crossover, it will be interesting to see whose career picks up pace and who reaches their potential first.

Niall J

We can confirm Daniel Cummings has left the club, and joined English side West Ham United. All the best of luck for the future, Daniel 🙌 #CelticFC🍀 https://t.co/RGeaKj0mwT
– martedì 1 luglio 2025

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