CELTIC are scrambling to add Callum Osmand to their Euro squad to face Midtjylland.
The 19-year-old striker scored his first Hoops goal against Rangers on Sunday.
Ex-Fulham kid Osmand was not expecting to travel to Denmark as he wasn’t originally registered for Thursday’s Europa League clash.
But Uefa rules allow clubs to replace players with long-term injuries — and Celts are aiming to include Osmand instead of crocked defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.
He said: “I’m ready to play. If that happens it will be a good for me. I’m always ready to perform.
“It’s been a great week. I’m really happy.”
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Osmand couldn’t get into Celtic’s squad under Brendan Rodgers, but has been given his chance by caretaker Martin O’Neill.
He came off the bench for a debut in the 4-0 win against Falkirk then bagged the third goal in the 3-1 extra-time win over Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi.
Osmand added: “The first few conversations I had with him were all positive. He gives me that reassurance.
“He’s heard good things, he knows I’m a good player. That’s all the stuff you need to hear really.
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“It’s just trust. He says he believes in me and he’s going to keep pushing me.
“It was tough not playing because you don’t feel like you’re in the squad.
“The boys are all great but it feels like you’re not contributing. In those moments, you just have to keep working and bide your time.
“You’ve got to face your friends when they say, ‘What’s going on?’.
“You get those messages from your friends and your family saying, ‘When are we coming to watch you again?’. I reply, ‘Oh, I’m not playing yet’.”
Former Fulham kid Osmand is now in line to be involved against the Danes, who are top of the Europa League table after three rounds, in Thursday’s league-phase clash.
It is the third game in charge for the interim management duo of O’Neill and Shaun Maloney — but their first in Europe.
Osmand said: “It’s about patience, there’s no need to rush anything. I knew that when I came in.
“If you told me this time last year what I’d be doing now, I’d be very happy with where I’m at now. It’s just patience.
“My mum, my auntie and my little cousin were at the game on Sunday. It was my little cousin and auntie’s first ever game.
“My mum’s very new to it as well. She was there taking all her photos from the side.
“They are loving it. My little brother’s just turned 14, so he’s at the age where he’s typing in all the TikToks and loving it.
“It was tough to sleep on Sunday night.
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“I don’t know if it was the caffeine shot or the adrenaline, but I was up until silly hours. It was all good, though.”
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