Celtic star 'inspiring' next football generation

Family, fans and a former coach have said Celtic's Callum Osmand should be an inspiration for the next generation of footballers in Jersey.

Callum played a key role in helping Celtic retain the Scottish Premiership, coming off the bench in the final game of the season to score and stop Hearts winning the league.

It was his first season for the Glasgow club which began with Callum scoring his debut goal against bitter rivals Rangers in November before he overcame a serious injury to play in the final against Hearts.

His grandfather Jim Osmand said Callum was "completely and utterly dedicated" while his uncle Sean Osmand added: "We just hope he's an inspiration to other local youngsters".

Celtic and Hearts were drawing 1-1 when Callum came off the bench. Had the game finished in a draw, Hearts would have won the Scottish Premiership.

But Callum set up a goal that put Celtic ahead in the 87th minute before his side made the final score 3-1 in the eighth minute of stoppage time.

Jim said he knew from a young age that Callum would go far as a professional footballer.

He said: "Even as a kid, Callum wanted that ball all the time and get going then when he got it - he just went in".

"He was always at the forefront but if the ball wasn't being passed to him then he'd get a strop on," Jim joked.

"We couldn't be any more proud of him than we are already, but I hope he keeps it going".

Sean said it has been hard for the family to believe just how well Callum had done in his first season in Glasgow.

He said: "Words can't describe it, it's been so emotional. He's put so much hard work into it for 15 years."

Callum left the island with his parents when they moved to London when he was 13-years-old to join Fulham before being sold to Celtic.

Sean said: "For Callum it was just football, football, football - there wasn't girls, there wasn't computer games and he was totally dedicated from when he could kick a football."

Paul Renton helped train Callum when he was 11-years-old at the Jersey FA Centre of Excellence, now Jersey Bulls Academy, before he left to join Fulham's Academy.

He said: "We were just pleased he's a Jersey kid that's done well. He's got that grit and determination."

Renton added: "I had some contact with Callum after the final game of the season and I said 'if you're in Jersey before the end of June, come down and see us' because it would be great for our kids to see him."

The coach has helped train other Jersey footballers including Luca Picotto who was signed by Brentford as well as Luke Harris who is at Fulham.

Celtic football fans in Jersey have been cheering on Callum from the island and the supporter's club has his shirt on display in the Soleil Pub in St Helier.

Trish Nolan is one of the fans who has enjoyed watching Callum wear her club's colours this season.

She said: "To think he's from Jersey as he ran up and scored that third goal against Hearts was brilliant, absolutely brilliant."

"I think all the young kids in Jersey will be looking up to him," Nolan added.

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