Callum Osmand’s absence remains unclear after Martin O’Neill gave only a brief answer when asked about Celtic’s wider squad news ahead of the trip to St Mirren.
But Osmand was not mentioned in the broadcast section, despite Shaun Maloney saying earlier this week that the young striker was expected to miss a few weeks with an ankle injury.
That makes O’Neill’s final squad update worth noting.
Asked if there was any other squad news and whether everyone else was okay, O’Neill gave a one-word answer.
He said: (Celtic FC YouTube), “Yeah.”
On the face of it, that could suggest there are no new injury issues in the squad beyond the players already discussed. However, Osmand has not been seen in recent training images, and there has been no indication that he is back involved after his ankle problem.
It may simply be that O’Neill did not have Osmand in mind when answering, given the direct focus of the injury questions had been on Tierney and Hogh. The striker’s injury had already been addressed earlier in the week by Maloney, so it was not revisited in detail.
Still, for supporters looking for clarity, the answer did not provide much.
Celtic are currently managing their forward options carefully. Kasper Hogh is still on the mend, while Camilo Duran has been carrying the attack in recent matches after a superb start to life in Glasgow.
The late-window arrival of Shim Mheuka on loan from Chelsea has also added another option through the middle, which should ease some of the pressure while Osmand works his way back.
Unless Celtic confirm otherwise, Osmand should still be viewed as unavailable for the St Mirren game. O’Neill’s short answer suggested there were no fresh concerns, but it did not amount to a clear return update for the young striker.
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