Callum Osmand is aiming to build on a promising debut season with Celtic as the club prepares for a new campaign under manager Martin O’Neill. The 20-year-old winger made a memorable impact last season, notably scoring a pivotal goal against Hearts on the final day to secure a 3-0 victory. That match marked the farewell of Japanese forward Daizen Maeda, whose relentless pressing and goal-scoring prowess played a significant role in Celtic’s domestic success over the past four and a half years.
Maeda’s departure to Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town leaves a notable void at Parkhead, but Osmand is determined to emulate some of the qualities that made the Japanese forward a fan favorite. Speaking about the challenge, Osmand acknowledged the difficulty of replacing Maeda but expressed his intention to bring similar intensity and work ethic to the team. “They are big boots to fill as Daizen offered something completely different to anyone else,” Osmand said. “Hopefully I can offer glimpses of what his running was like. That would be my goal – to match his running, which is probably impossible! I want to try to bring that intensity and some of the bits of the way he played.”
The club’s attacking options have been bolstered this summer by the arrivals of Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran, a combined £17 million investment expected to strengthen Celtic’s forward line. Hogh, a Danish striker with a strong Champions League record from his time at Bodo/Glimt, and Camilo, a Colombian international familiar with European competition through Qarabag, offer new competition for places. Osmand welcomes the challenge, noting the importance of rivalry in raising performance levels.
“At every club, you always have someone competing with you. It’s good as it keeps us pushing each other to get better,” Osmand said. “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. They are good lads.” He also remarked on the camaraderie within the squad, describing Hogh as a “bit of a character” and Duran as a “funny guy,” despite some language barriers.
O’Neill has signaled a willingness to adapt his preferred 4-3-3 formation to accommodate both Hogh and Duran in the starting lineup, further intensifying the competition for attacking roles. Despite the increased depth and quality, Osmand remains optimistic about his prospects, highlighting his readiness to contribute wherever possible.
Having overcome injury setbacks during his first season and limited opportunities under former manager Brendan Rodgers, Osmand’s focus now is on pushing forward and making a sustained impact in Celtic’s attacking setup. His determination echoes the club’s broader ambitions as they seek to maintain domestic dominance and compete in European competitions.