Shaun Maloney just knew Martin O’Neill would love Callum Osmand | OneFootball

Shaun Maloney’s knowledge of Callum Osmand through his work as Pathways manager was the key to the young striker emerging as an early stand-out under the incoming interim management team of Martin O’Neill and Maloney following the shock ‘resignation’ of Brendan Rodgers a week past on Monday.

eltic striker Callum Osmand at the opening of the new Celtic FC flagship store in Glasgow. Photo Conor Spence (The Celtic Star)

Maloney had initially looked at organising a loan for the former West Ham u21 striker who yesterday spoke to Conor Spence from The Celtic Star at the official opening of the new Celtic Flagship store in Glasgow city centre (junction of Queen St and Argyle St) but young Callum wanted to remain at the club to fight for his place.

That self-belief would stand him in good stead when he was rather unexpectedly called into the squad for the match against Falkirk last midweek as the O’Neill and Maloney combo got underway.

Shaun Maloney and Martin O’Neill at Celtic Park on October 28, 2025 (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Maloney had no doubts that Osmand was going to prove his judgement right.

“He’s definitely ready for this opportunity,” the Celtic coach said in an interview with the club’s channel, Celtic TV.

“I think when we’re discussing the bench and between him and Shin – and Shin’s definitely got attributes as well that can help his team – but Stephen’s (McManus) worked with Callum. We’ve all seen him now train and he’s now getting to a point where you can’t really hold him back. And then it’s how the boy takes the actual opportunity.

“I knew with Martin coming through Tuesday night when I met him for dinner to go through the squad and the players, I knew he would love Callum.

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

“He’s the exact type of striker that the manager would like. You can sense that sort of bond between the manager and Callum already, that he feels his trust.”

There no  doubt that the change in the managerial team – leaving aside the rights and wrongs of how it all came about – has galvanised Celtic  and has transformed the season from one of frustration through underwhelming performances and results into one more enjoyable for the Celtic support.

Back-to-back wins against Falkirk and theRangers have put the spring back into Celtic’s step and smiles back on the faces of the supporters with Celtic scoring freely once more with a much more attacking style of play.

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

Maloney said about the changes he along with Martin implemented.  “We’ve made slight changes in terms of anything tactical. I mean really slight. Probably the biggest one is the mentality to try and hurt the team from behind, run more from the field and the wide players. But again, these are things that sometimes you just have to remind them of.

“I’ve watched this team for four or five years and when they’re at their best, they’re a hell of a team,” Maloney added. The full interview is available to subscribers on Celtic TV.

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, signed copies by Danny McGrain available from celticstarbooks.com

Don’t miss the chance to purchase the late, great Celtic historian David Potter’s final book. All remaining copies have been signed by the legendary Celtic captain  Danny McGrain PLUS you’ll also receive a FREE copy of David Potter’s Willie Fernie biography – Putting on the Style, and you’ll only be charged for postage on one book.  Order from Celtic Star Books HERE.

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

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