Why red-hot Celtic gem Callum Osmand cannot play for Wales despite being a youth international

Celtic gem Callum Osmand once represented Wales as a youth international, but he is no longer able to play for the nation.

Osmand has been a terrific find for Celtic, who saw flashes of what the forward could become last season in the way of goalscoring cameos. The 20-year-old struggled with injury early this season, but he has been excellent since his return.

He now has three goals and an assist to his name for the season having carved out a new role for himself on the left wing, despite naturally being a striker.

On Thursday night, he played a major role in turning Celtic's must-win clash with Besiktas on its head. Osmand came off the bench in the 60th minute with his side 1-0 down and scored from the edge of the box with his first touch.

He then turned provider, bringing down a long ball and providing a perfect through ball for Camilo Durán to run onto and score. Celtic wound up winning 3-2.

Still only 20 years of age, Osmand is clearly a talent, and he is the sort of talent that would have home nations checking his family background for any potential links.

Osmand actually represented Wales as a youngster, and at two age groups, but he has since been told that playing for Wales is off the cards.

Osmand was born in Jersey, and under previous rules, players born in the Channel Islands were eligible to represent any of England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

As a youth international, he chose Wales, later explaining: "I used to have a free roam of the whole of the United Kingdom. But it changed. My mom was born in England, and my dad was born in Jersey, so I chose Wales originally."

But in 2023, the rules were changed to remove that open eligibility, and players born in the Channel Islands were only allowed to represent England, barring any other family links that would make them eligible to represent other countries.

Osmand added: "Then I ended up only being able to represent England, so it's England from now on, which is the goal."

With no family links to Wales, Osmand is only eligible to represent England despite playing for Wales as a youngster.

Wales boss Craig Bellamy has actually been asked about it in the past, and he said: "I like him, but unfortunately he's not on the radar to be able to play for us. If he was it would have been a completely different conversation I would love to have had."

Hard luck, Wales.