FC Midtjylland v Celtic - Martin O'Neill Media Conference

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Q: How’s he been? It’s been a big few days for him?

Martin O’Neill: “It’s been amazing, really, for him. He’s a really nice lad, and he’s sharp, and he’s good. And, yeah, so… Yeah, I like him. I like him a great deal. It’s early, yeah.”

Callum Osmand celebrates. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Q: Martin, can you recall any previous player who has just suddenly made such an incredible impact, I mean, truly, in the professional game?

Martin O’Neill: “Well, I think the impact is because he scores against (the)Rangers now, and that’s very big in itself. And the fact that he slid in like a proper centre-forward, and put the ball in the net. I mean, it’s great for him. I think that he’s got a really good attitude. You think that he’s got this potential, that you feel as if you could work with him, and it might be a joy. But it might not be, and it might not be for the next manager coming up. So I don’t know. But he is not lacking in confidence, but he’s not cocky or anything like that. He knows what he wants to do, which is really pleasing. Now, would he be… Is he the short-term answer? Who knows? Who knows at this minute? But it’s a great start for him, and he’s delighted with it, and I’m delighted with him.”

Q: The European stage obviously is another level, but looking at him in training and his confidence, could you see him just making that leap again, no problem?

Martin O’Neill: “Well, you would have to hope to, or he would have to. Yeah, listen, I like him. This is my ninth day or something, I guess, here at the minute. I think I was introduced to him twice on the first day. So I kind of missed him first of all, and then I saw him after that. But he’s great. I’m really pleased with him, honestly, and he’s delighted with the goal and, again, such illustrious opposition.”

Q: You’re like an instant father figure for him?

Martin O’Neill: “I doubt that. I doubt that. Father figure. I’ve got two daughters who are lovely girls and are much older than him. So, yeah.”

Celtic press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz – Europa League Herning, Denmark – November 5: Manager Martin O Neill and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel during Celtic press conference ahead of the match against FC Midtjylland in UEFA Europa League at MCH Arena Herning MCH Arena Denmark Photo: DANIEL STENTZ/ IMAGO

Q: What do you think of Kasper, since you’ve come in, and the influence you think he’s had, not just on the pitch, but off the pitch?

Martin O’Neill: “Well, he has been speaking in Danish tonight, if he has been disparaging about me, and I don’t know about it, then I can be equally disparaging of him! And will he ever live up to his father’s reputation?! I think he’s got ten caps to beat his dad!”

Q: Is he one of the players you’ve got to lean on?

Martin O’Neill: “Absolutely. Yeah, of course, really, really important. Big player, big player, won the Premier League with Leicester, fantastic achievement, absolutely terrific. So yeah, and he’s made, more importantly, he’s made big saves. Against Falkirk, I think we were 1-0 up at the time, he made a really good save, a really good save that. Again, Rangers could have equalised in save, blocked it. So yeah, of course, leaning him, absolutely, leaning on Callum McGregor and James Forrest, I think it’s done great for us. So, yeah, I genuinely couldn’t be more pleased and pleased he’s here.”

Q: Are Alistair Johnston and Kelechi Iheanacho available?

Martin O’Neill: “No, they’re not fit.”

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