Celtic youngster reveals surprise Daizen Maeda connection following Parkhead exit

The 20-year-old marked his first professional start with two first-half goals as Martin O’Neill’s side secured an emphatic 7-1 victory over the Edinburgh outfit.

Having initially arrived from Fulham as a striker, Osmand has recently been deployed on the left wing, where he has benefited from the experience of his Celtic teammates and coaching staff.

Speaking about Jota’s influence, Osmand said via the Scottish Sun: “Obviously, Jota is a good help. I was speaking to him earlier today about where to be and stuff, but the coaches help me as well.

“I was watching him [Maloney] the other day and I spoke to him because I’d never really seen much about how he plays and I was saying we’re quite similar. I do speak to him a lot, he helps me a lot.

“Him and Fozzy [Mark Fotheringham], Mick [Stephen McManus], and all the coaches and the gaffer are always helping me and supporting me. It’s just about keeping talking to them and keeping learning.”

Osmand also revealed that former Celtic winger Daizen Maeda, who departed for Ipswich Town, remains in regular contact with him.

“Now you’ve said that, Daizen would be probably the main guy that I would [try and replicate] – he messages me a lot to be fair.

“Every time I score he’ll message me or every time he scores or does something I’ll give him a message.

“He’s a really nice guy so he would be one that I would like to mould it off, his running, his running power, and his runs in behind. That is something I admire so that would be someone who I would base it off.”

The youngster also disclosed that former Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley offered advice before his move to Glasgow.

“I did speak to Matt before coming up. He gave me a ring. He was at Fulham and I spoke to a few Fulham coaches and managed to get his number and we had a chat.

“He’s a great guy. He was telling me about the ins and outs, basically about how crazy it is up here.”