CALLUM OSMAND reckons his life is “like a movie” after his stunning comeback in Celtic’s 3-1 title-winning triumph over Hearts at a rocking Parkhead yesterday.
The 20-year-old Welshman had been missing for over SIX months after sustaining a hamstring injury in the Hoops’ Europa League outing against FC Midtjylland in Denmark on November 6.
Osmand, who arrived in the summer from Fulham, had enjoyed Hampden success just four days earlier when he claimed the third and killer goal in the 3-1 Premier Sports League Cup semi-final victory over Danny Rohl’s Ibrox outfit.
JOY BHOYS…Callum Osmand and Kelechi Iheanacho celebrate the youngster’s goal to seal a dramatic 3-1 triumph over Hearts at Parkhead.
The youngster was recalled to the squad for the crucial must-win confrontation against the Edinburgh club who went into the game with a one-point advantage.
Pressure mounted on Martin O’Neill and his players when Lawrence Shankland was left unguarded at the far post to score with a header from a Stephen Kinglsey right-wing corner-kick delivery.
Arne Engels nullified that effort with a penalty-kick just before the turnaround after Alexandros Kyziridis clearly handled a left-wing cross from Kieran Tierney.
Osmand came off the substitutes’ bench in the 73rd minute when he replaced Auston Trusty as O’Neill changed tactics.
Fourteen minutes after his appearance, the elusive frontman set up the second goal for Daizen Maeda and then he made certain of the club’s fifth successive title in the eighth minute of stoppage-time.
A beaming Osmand said at the end of a truly astounding crescendo to the Premiership campaign: “It feels like my life is like a movie.
“This is unbelievable and I don’t think there’s a better club in the world.
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL…Callum Osmand nudges the ball towards the unguarded Hearts net to cap an astonishing comeback.
“I had six months and I wasn’t able to give anything and it was out of my hands. It was really tough, but the lads have been unbelievable. I’ve just put the cherry on the cake. I’m so happy.
“To be honest, I thought there was a keeper in goal and I was just running, thinking, I could make a mess this up, but as soon as I saw there was no keeper my eyes lit up and I just started smiling. It was amazing.”
Osmand, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “I love this club so much.
“I’ve only been here a year – I wanted to give so much more, but I couldn’t and it was out of my control. But I know what I can bring to the team and I was ready.
“I’ve worked hard and it wasn’t a fun six months, but this just makes it all worth it and the fans are just at another level.
“They’re the best in the world.”
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