Callum Osmand on Martin O’Neill’s confidence boost after Hampden Heroics

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The Celtic Star

·3. November 2025

Callum Osmand on Martin O’Neill’s confidence boost after Hampden Heroics

New Hoops hero Callum Osmand revealed that the biggest change since Martin O’Neill’s return to Celtic has been the belief and confidence the manager has shown in him, something he felt was missing under Brendan Rodgers…

Callum Osmand scores. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The former Fulham forward, who had not made an appearance under Rodgers since joining in the summer, was immediately brought into the fold by O’Neill, earning a 15-minute runout late in the 4-0 midweek victory over Falkirk.

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He was introduced early in the second half of Sunday’s Premier Sports League Cup semi-final against theRangers and marked the occasion perfectly, scoring his first goal for Celtic and his senior career in extra-time to seal a 3-1 victory and a place in the final against St Mirren.

Osmand admitted that while Rodgers challenged him to develop as a player, it was O’Neill’s decision to finally give him an opportunity on the pitch that has truly boosted his confidence.

Callum Osmand celebrates. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Speaking via Daily Record, Osmand said: “From day one, he just spoke to me and said he thinks very highly of me. Staff think highly of me and that just gives you the boost you need really. Under both managers, they were both pushing me but Martin’s just given me that confidence when he’s come in and given me the trust really.”

“That’s all you need from a manager. It only takes one person to believe in you and then push you on. Hopefully, this is just the start for me but obviously, I’ve got to keep building and pushing on. It feels amazing. Like I said, there’s no words to describe today.”

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Callum Osmand celebrates. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“It’s going to be the craziest day of my life ever,” he added. “There’s nothing that can really top this unless scoring against them in the final. This is the best day of my life.”

A moment that will live with @callum_osmand forever 🙌 The pitchside view of his first @CelticFC goal and the celebration that followed at Hampden this afternoon 🍀 #PremierSportsCup | @spfl
– Sonntag, 2. November 2025

Despite his Hampden heroics, Osmand will be unavailable for Celtic’s trip to Denmark on Thursday against Midtjylland because Brendan Rodgers did not include him in the Europa League back in September. Hopefully he’ll travel with the team to get some experience of away matches in European football. I expect we’ll be seeing him on Sunday at Celtic Park when Kilmarnock are the visitors.

Conor Spence

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books