Celtic’s pursuit of a new striker has led them to familiar territory, reminiscent of Moussa Dembele’s high-profile move from Fulham in 2016. Now, nearly a decade later, the club is reportedly close to signing 19-year-old Callum Osmand from the same English Premier League side. If the deal goes through, Osmand is expected to slot straight into Brendan Rodgers’ starting lineup.
Celtic’s current attacking options include prolific scorer Daizen Maeda, rising star Johnny Kenny, and the mercurial Adam Idah. With Osmand’s potential arrival, questions arise about how Rodgers will manage his striker options and who will face a reduction in playing time. Former Celtic striker Ross McCormack believes the signing could spell trouble for Johnny Kenny, who was brought back by Rodgers in January after a successful loan spell.
McCormack notes that with four strikers competing for one spot, someone will likely miss out. “If you sign a striker, Daizen Maeda would likely shift to left wing,” he said. “But with four out-and-out strikers, it’s hard to see how they all fit in. It doesn’t look good for Johnny Kenny’s career path.”
A comparison of Osmand and Kenny’s stats reveals that while Osmand has yet to make a senior appearance for Fulham, he has shown promise in younger age groups. In contrast, Kenny has gained valuable experience in senior football and European competitions, including scoring his first goal for Celtic.
Given the dynamics, it’s unlikely that Adam Idah will lose his spot to Osmand, thanks to his senior status and transfer fee. However, Johnny Kenny’s situation looks precarious, and he might be forced to consider another loan spell to gain more playing time. The question remains: how will Rodgers balance his striker options, and who will emerge as the odd one out?
