Callum Osmand ran the length of the pitch to score one of the most iconic goals in Celtic history. Now the Parkhead speedster wants to follow in the footsteps of the man who never stopped running. Osmand knows nobody can replace Daizen Maeda, but the 20-year-old is determined to carry on the relentless pressing and intensity that made the Japanese ace a Hoops hero.
Osmand sparked scenes of bedlam on the final day of last season when he raced clear to roll home the title-clinching goal against Hearts. Fittingly, it proved Maeda's farewell in green and white after he blasted nine goals in seven games to drag Celts back from the brink and fire them to another Double. After four-and-a-half unforgettable years in Glasgow, Maeda has swapped Parkhead for Portman Road with Premier League new boys Ipswich Town – much to the relief of defenders across Scotland.
No Replacement for a Celtic One-Off
Even with £17million strike duo Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran arriving to spearhead Martin O'Neill's new-look attack, Osmand insists he'll try to bring at least a taste of what made Maeda such a one-off. He said:
"They are big boots to fill as Daizen offered something completely different to anyone else.
"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.
"Camilo is obviously quite similar too with his pressing."
New Striking Competition at Parkhead
Osmand is relishing the battle for a starting place alongside record £11m capture Hogh and £6m Colombian recruit Duran. Danish goal machine Hogh arrives with a fearsome Champions League pedigree after firing Bodo/Glimt into the latter stages, while prolific Duran also made his mark against Europe's elite with Qarabag. O'Neill has even hinted he could rip up his trusted 4-3-3 system to squeeze both big-money frontmen into the same team. But ambitious Osmand is convinced there will still be plenty of opportunities for him.
He said:
"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. They are good lads.
"Kasper is a bit of a character – he is 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. Camilo laughs a lot but I'm not sure he understands much! There's a bit of a language barrier there but he's a funny guy, too."
From Fulham to Finding Belief at Celtic
There's not a trace of arrogance about Osmand, but there's no shortage of belief. The English starlet announced himself with a dream Old Firm Premier Sports Cup semi-final goal before injury wrecked much of his first campaign. After finding opportunities hard to come by under Brendan Rodgers, Osmand has flourished since O'Neill and his coaches put their faith in him. Now, he feels like a genuine part of Celtic's plans.
He said:
"Martin came in for his first game and I played, so that showed some belief in me. It really helped me with my confidence.
"Shaun (Maloney), Fozzy (Mark Fotheringham) and Mick (Stephen McManus) 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.
"At Fulham, Raul Jiminez, Rodrigo Muniz and Carlos Vinicius were ahead of me.
"It was a weird one because Marco Silva wanted a certain calibre of striker – a certain build.
"It's always tough when you have big names ahead of you and you're young.
"It is just about showing what you can do. It's easier as the years go on.
"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.
"Kyogo was here before and my goal was to bring what he brought. It would be amazing if I could bring anything near that.
"I feel way more part it now than I did before.
"It's tough when you come in and you have nothing under your belt.
"I felt that 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."
Dundee Test Awaits as New Season Begins
Marquee arrivals Hogh and Duran are set to make their Premiership bows against Dundee tomorrow night, but Osmand is also expected to have a part to play. The youngster is still riding the crest of last season's fairytale finish and can't wait to get going again.
He said:
"It's come round again quickly. It didn't feel like we had too much time off.
"It's always good to be back in and I'm excited about the season. We want to start strongly. The atmosphere in the club is really positive.
"No one is worried or nervous. We're just excited to get going and show what we can do.
"It's an exciting time and we can't wait for Monday. Hopefully we win and have a good performance.
"Dundee are a good team. We saw it last year when they'd some success against us.
"We have to try to limit that and be stronger this year, knowing what we know about them.
"They are a strong side and we won't under- estimate any side in the league.
"Hopefully it'll be a good game and we can do well."
