Callum Osmand’s Celtic debut – rawness but there’s a striker’s instinct | OneFootball

Celtic’s 2-1 win over Cork City in the Cork Super Cup yesterday evening won’t linger long in the memory, but for 19-year-old Callum Osmand, it marked an important first step in what he—and the club—hope will be a significant journey.

Callum Osmand signs for Celtic. Photo Celtic FC

Osmand, a summer signing from Fulham, was introduced at half-time as Brendan Rodgers rolled the dice on youth, fielding what was essentially a B-Team for the second 45.

On paper, it was hardly the most fertile environment to make a mark—45 minutes in an unfamiliar system, flanked by similarly aged and inexperienced teammates trying equally hard to catch the eye—but there was enough in Osmand’s cameo to whet the appetite for more.

The young striker looked bright and intelligent in his movement, with a tidy first touch and what seemed a natural ability to find space. His positioning was sharp and instinctive, often pulling away from defenders into clever areas, and he looked technically sound throughout.

There was maybe a hint of over-eagerness at times, a sense that he wanted to make something happen every time the ball came his way—but for a teenage striker stepping into senior football for the first time, that’s no bad thing at all.

Osmand joined Celtic this summer on what many initially viewed as a developmental signing. However, the manager has been quick to insist that he was brought in with a view to contributing to the first team this season.

That’s despite the fact that, until last night Osmand had never played a single minute of senior competitive football.

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

Osmand rose through the academy ranks at Fulham, where he developed a reputation as a technically proficient forward with a keen eye for goal. He featured prominently for Fulham’s U18 and U21 sides, regularly on the scoresheet.

Fulham had high hopes for him, but with the pathway to their first team increasingly congested, Celtic offered the clearer route to senior football—and Celtic moved decisively to get the deal done. There was reportedly interest from clubs in the Championship and abroad, but Celtic’s vision for Osmand must have proved persuasive enough for him to make the move to Glasgow.

Back to Cork, though, and while he didn’t get on the scoresheet, Osmand’s willingness to work, make runs, and create options for others didn’t go unnoticed. On a couple of occasions, his movement opened up promising angles, only for the final pass from his teammates to let him down a little. You got the feeling that, had he been backed up by Arne Engels and Reo Hatate rather than lads still learning the ropes, he might’ve ended the night with a goal or two to his name.

There were moments where a smarter pass might have been the better option than a speculative shot from an awkward angle—but then again, what’s the role of a striker if not to back himself? You want your forwards thinking like forwards. Confidence isn’t something you teach it’s something you build up in games like this one, and Osmand arguably showed no shortage of self-belief.

So, early days, of course. Pre-season is always a strange beast—a mix of rust, rhythm-finding, and mixed-level lineups—but Osmand showed enough here to justify his inclusion in further friendlies. There’s a rawness, yes. But there’s also a striker’s instinct, an eye for space, and a confidence that is quite reassuring.

Niall J