Celtic striker Osmand anticipates hostile reception from Hearts

Celtic striker Callum Osmand anticipates a hostile reception when the team faces title rivals Hearts at Parkhead on Sunday. The match marks the first encounter between the two clubs since Celtic secured the league title on the final day of the previous season in a dramatic and disputed victory.

Osmand scored the decisive late goal that day, an event that led to a mass pitch invasion and subsequent criminal prosecutions following altercations between Celtic fans and Hearts players. Tensions remain high, particularly from the Hearts side, regarding the circumstances of that final match.

Osmand believes Hearts will once again be strong title contenders and expects another intense contest. "It could be a hostile one," Osmand stated. "But, no, our fans, I think we saw that one’s already sold out, so it could be a really good game."

He added, "I don’t know if it gets better than that in terms of what happened last season, but it’ll be good to play against them again. Yeah, I think you always have to (feel like Hearts are contenders). Obviously what they’ve done last season was amazing. They lost a few key players, but they brought in some good players and they’re a really top side, so we can’t underestimate them."

Osmand recently returned to action after a nearly two-month absence due to injury, playing in Celtic's Europa League defeat to Benfica on Thursday night. He came off the bench in the second half, with Celtic appearing more dangerous offensively when he, Haissem Hassan, and Camilo Duran were on the field.

Determined to regain match fitness and prove his value, Osmand expressed his eagerness to stay on the pitch. "It was a really good feeling to be back on the pitch," he said. "It’s obviously a tough one to come into. Benfica were a really, really good side. But, yeah, it felt good. When you’re out there, you don’t really think about anything but playing. But, yeah, I’m so glad to be back on the pitch and hopefully I can stay on it this time."

Osmand is adaptable to playing various attacking positions. "I’m comfortable playing anywhere across the front line because I’m on the pitch, to be honest. But, yeah, not that I’ve never played there, I’ve rarely played left wing before. It’s something that I still need to learn the ins and outs of. But I thought I’d done alright when I came on. I was just trying to be as confident as possible and just trying to forget about everything around me and just go and try and make something happen. But, yeah, it was a really tough game to come into. Wherever I’m needed, I feel like I’ll just give my all to play there."

Reflecting on his injury struggles, he noted, "It’s been tough for me. It’s a frustrating one. The hamstring one was a freak one and then the ankle was a tiny little one that’s like just an annoying one. No one is more frustrated than me and I just want to be on the pitch and I can understand the frustrations with everyone. Like I say, I’m the one that will be the most frustrated out of everyone. But it is hopefully, fingers crossed, I just stay on the pitch now. I’m going to make sure I do everything I can to stay fit and, hopefully, touch wood, nothing happens."