How Milutin Osmajić feels about Preston North End situation as Celtic plot transfer | OneFootball

The Montenegrin striker returned to action on New Year's Day after a nine-game ban, and his post-match comments were very telling...

Preston North End striker Milutin Osmajić may have dropped the biggest hint yet that he intends to stay at Deepdale beyond the January transfer window - despite interest from Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.

The Montenegro international is never far away from being the centre of attention, and on New Year's Day he returned to action with a bang following a nine-game suspension, thumping home the Lilywhites' second goal in their 3-0 Championship win over struggling Sheffield Wednesday.

And following his Deepdale exploits, Osmajić seemingly signalled his intentions for his PNE career - in what may be somewhat of a blow for a certain club north of the border.

Milutin Osmajić's comments may put potential Celtic transfer to bed

Osmajić's return to action against Sheffield Wednesday was a popular one among the Deepdale terraces, having missed his planned comeback against Wrexham on Monday due to a hamstring niggle, and despite a quiet match on the whole, the 26-year-old put the game beyond doubt in the second half with a thunderous strike into the roof of the net - his fifth goal of the season from 12 league outings.

Banned for nine matches by the FA on the balance of probabilities over an allegation of racial abuse directed at Burnley midfielder Hannibal back in February, Osmajić has always maintained his innocence over the matter, and the long period out hasn't put off suitors, with the Glasgow Times claiming that Celtic have an interest in potentially signing the forward this month.

It appears though that Osmajić's future is very much with PNE. After pointing to the club's badge and then pointing to the Deepdale pitch, which seemed to infer he was staying, the striker said that PNE felt like 'home' - which bodes well for their chances of keeping him.

"Yeah, I am so happy," Osmajic told PNE's media team.

"After nine games, and what a game back! I scored a goal, and I'm really happy for that.

"I'm so happy about that (the support), and I tell you, they are the best fans in the league, and I'm feeling at home. This is my family, Preston, and that's all."

Preston North End need to get Milutin Osmajić contract sorted and keep Celtic away

It's been two-and-a-half years now since North End signed Osmajić from Spanish side Cadiz for £2.15 million, in what was a club-record purchase for the Lancashire outfit, and it's fair to say there's been some significant ups and downs in that time.

Spending 17 matches on the sidelines through suspension in that time wasn't part of the plan, and in his two full seasons so far at Deepdale, Osmajić hasn't hit double figures in Championship goals - although he's halfway to doing it in 2025-26 for PNE.

The Montenegro international clearly has some desirable assets though as a striker that Celtic like, but Osmajić looks to be very happy where he is for now - there is the pressing issue of his contract expiring in the summer of 2027 though.

This time next year, should Osmajić's contract situation be the same, he could talk to non-English clubs over a pre-contract agreement, which would see him leave Deepdale on a free transfer, and PNE cannot afford for that to happen, given the fact they lose plenty of money a month and are reliant on the Hemmings family to settle those losses on a continuous basis.

A reluctant sale therefore may have to happen in the summer, should a new contract not be agreed on, but as far as January and Celtic goes, it looks increasingly unlikely that a deal will transpire, given Osmajić's happiness.