Callum Osmand, a promising young forward for Celtic, has expressed a positive outlook on the club’s recent multi-million-pound acquisitions of strikers Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh. Despite these signings potentially impacting his own opportunities for first-team selection, the 20-year-old views the increased competition as a healthy catalyst for improvement within the squad.
New Forwards Bolster Celtic’s Attacking Options
Celtic has invested a combined £17 million in securing the services of Duran and Hogh, aiming to strengthen their attacking prowess for the current season. These new recruits are expected to feature prominently, potentially leading the line in upcoming matches, including the home fixture against Dundee. For Osmand, who joined Celtic in the summer of 2025 from Fulham, this influx of talent means he may need to be patient for his chance to impress, especially after an injury-plagued debut season at Celtic Park.
Osmand Welcomes Competition as a Motivator
Osmand shared his perspective on squad dynamics, stating, “At every club, you always have someone competing with you. It’s good as it keeps us pushing each other to get better. You have to be playing better to get a game when there’s more quality in the squad. It will be a good thing for all three of us to push each other.” This mindset reflects a mature understanding of professional football, where healthy rivalry often drives individual and collective performance.
Getting to Know the New Teammates
The young forward also offered insights into the personalities of his new colleagues. He described Hogh as a “character” with a positive disposition, noting his confidence and outgoing nature. “He’s a funny guy. He is a very confident guy. You can feel he’s someone who’s not worried about opinions. He knows what he wants. He is quite a loud guy as well. He’s confident, he’s not afraid and he’s come in and is talking to everyone. He seems like a really nice guy and hopefully he does well.”
Regarding Duran, Osmand humorously observed, “Camilo laughs a lot but I’m not sure he understands much! There’s a bit of a language barrier there but he’s funny guy, too.” These lighthearted comments underscore a positive integration process for the new signings into the Celtic dressing room.
Overcoming Injury and Finding His Place
Osmand’s previous season was significantly hampered by a serious hamstring injury, which limited his appearances. He concluded the campaign on a high note, however, scoring Celtic’s final goal in their league-clinching 3-1 victory over Hearts. This goal served as a significant reward after a challenging period on the sidelines.
Reflecting on his time at Fulham, Osmand felt he was on the periphery of the first team. He now relishes the more integrated role he feels he has at Celtic. “I feel way more part it now than I did before,” he explained. “It’s tough when you come in and you have nothing under your belt. I felt I could have contributed before at Fulham, even when I was younger. I knew I could contribute up here but it’s a case of getting that first opportunity to actually show that you are able to contribute. Once you have broken the first barrier, it makes people trust you more. I do feel more part of it now.”
Coaching Staff and Managerial Support
Osmand attributes his development and increased confidence to the guidance he has received from the coaching staff, including Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham, and Stephen McManus, as well as manager Martin O’Neill. “They have been the main part of it,” he stated. “Martin came in for his first game and I played, so that showed some belief in me. It really helped me with my confidence.”
He further elaborated on the supportive environment: “Shaun, Fozzy and Mick all speak to me a lot about where they see me fitting in and what they need from me. It has all been really positive and I feel a big part of the squad now. It’s good to feel that you’re wanted around the place and hopefully I can prove something this year.”
Lessons from Fulham and Ambitions at Celtic
Osmand’s experience at Fulham, where players like Raul Jimenez, Rodrigo Muniz, and Carlos Vinicius were ahead of him in the pecking order, provided valuable lessons. He noted that managerial preferences for specific striker profiles could influence opportunities. “Certain managers want certain things and it’s about finding where you are needed and where you are wanted. That was one of the reasons I came up here.”
He expressed admiration for former Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi and stated his ambition to emulate the impact the Japanese forward had at the club. “Kyogo was here before and my goal was to bring what he brought. It would be amazing if I could bring anything near that.”
International Future Clarified: A Shift to England
Having settled into his club career, Osmand has also gained clarity regarding his international eligibility. Born in Jersey, he previously believed he could represent any of the home nations and had pursued a pathway with Wales, even playing at the under-17 level. However, a recent change in UEFA regulations has altered his options.
Osmand explained the situation: “I spoke to people at Wales but that’s a ship which has sailed. The Uefa rules have completely changed. Being born in Jersey, I used to be able to choose the four home nations. Now it is changed and I can only represent England as my mum was born in England.”
He had previously been involved in England’s under-15 and under-16 camps but opted for Wales when that opportunity arose, believing it offered a more promising route for his development. “It got stopped and now the goal has to be England. I class myself as an Englishman and the dream would be representing England. My mum will be very happy! My dad was also born in Jersey but he would class himself as English, too. My dad’s family are all from Jersey and my mum’s are from the Sheffield area.” This newfound clarity sets a clear international objective for the young player.
