Long-Term Injured Celtic Attacker Completes Rapid Recovery

Martin O’Neill has confirmed Callum Osmand and Alistair Johnston are both in contention to return to the Celtic squad for tomorrow’s clash with Falkirk.

It has been a long road back for both players. Johnston has barely featured since the early weeks of the season, while Osmand’s breakthrough was cut short just as he started to make an impression. Now, with the run-in approaching, both are close to being available again.

For Osmand, the timing matters. Celtic have options up front, but not many who run beyond the back line. Iheanacho offers a different style, dropping in and linking play, but there have been games where the team has lacked a runner stretching defences.

That is where Osmand fits. His movement off the shoulder gives midfielders a target when the game becomes tight. Even short appearances could change how Falkirk defend, especially if Celtic are pushing late on.

Speaking ahead of the match, O’Neill provided an update on both players as they near a return to the squad.

He said: (The Herald), “Yeah, Callum and Alistair have been a long, long time out.

“Callum is feeling much, much better with the week that he’s put in. Some days he hasn’t done anything, but he’s come through and he’s been fine.”

Johnston’s return alongside him gives balance on the right side again. Even from the bench, having a natural full-back available allows Celtic to adjust shape without moving players out of position.

For Osmand, this is about re-entry rather than impact straight away. He has not played for months, so minutes will need to be managed. But the type of player he is gives the manager a different option if the game stalls.

Against Falkirk, that could matter. If the opposition sit in, Celtic often need someone willing to make runs in behind rather than just coming short. Osmand brings that.

It also says something about how he is viewed. Despite the lack of minutes this season, he is being brought back into the group at a key stage. That points to trust in what he can offer going forward.

With games running down, options off the bench become sharper. Johnston brings control. Osmand brings movement. Both have been missing for most of the campaign, and even limited involvement changes how Celtic can approach the final stages of matches.