CELTIC have added young striker Callum Osmand to their Europa League squad ahead of Thursday's trip to Midtjylland.
The 19-year-old was originally omitted from the Hoops' 25-man panel for European competition and also failed to feature domestically for the first team under previous manager Brendan Rodgers.
However, his promotion to the European squad to replace long-term injury absentee Cameron Carter-Vickers caps a remarkable week for the youngster, who joined in the summer from Fulham.
Osmand made his first appearance of the season a week ago, playing the final 14 minutes as Celtic won 4-0 in the first game of Martin O'Neill's second spell at the club.
Four days later, he impressed against Rangers after again coming off the bench, capping his performance with an extra-time goal to make it 3-1 as Celtic booked their place in the League Cup Final.
Now, having been limited to League Challenge Cup games with the U21s under Rodgers, Osmand could make his European bow on Thursday night.
"We can confirm that striker Callum Osmand has replaced Cameron Carter-Vickers on our UEFA player list following Cameron's unfortunate long-term injury," said Celtic in a statement today.
'I'm delighted with him'
Osmand's inclusion has been made possible due to a UEFA rule that allows a club to make one change to their panel before the end of matchday 6 of the league phase in European competitions if a player is ruled out with a long-term injury.
Key defender Carter-Vickers played the full 90 minutes of the 2-1 victory over Sturm Graz two weeks ago but was subsequently ruled out for between three and five months by Rodgers.
While that is a major blow for Celtic, it has been offset by the upturn in form of O'Neill's chosen central defensive pairing of Liam Scales and Auston Trusty, the latter being named man of the match after the Rangers game.
Now, Osmand's eligibility will further soften the blow of Carter-Vickers' loss, as well as that of striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who was injured early on against Sturm Graz.
O'Neill confirmed today that the Nigerian hasn't recovered in time to feature in Denmark, nor has right-back Alistair Johnston.
However, he expressed his delight at being able to bring Osmand into the frame.
"It's just an automatic thing for him to come in," O'Neill told a media conference today.
"It's been amazing for him [the last few days], he's a really nice lad and he's sharp, he's good.
"I like him but it's early yet."
He added: "He's not lacking in confidence but he's not cocky, he knows what he wants to do, which is really pleasing.
"Is he the short-term answer? Who knows at this minute, but it's a great start from him and he's delighted with it and I'm delighted with him."
Danish test
O’Neill will be hoping a rejuvenated Celtic can get something in Denmark, with the Scottish champions currently in the Europa League knockout play-off places.
A win could take them into the top-eight, from where they would automatically progress to the last 16.
However, Midtjylland will prove tough opposition, with last season's Danish Superliga runners-up currently top of the Europa League table.
Mike Tullberg's side have won all three of their Europa League games, including away victories at Maccabi Tel Aviv and Nottingham Forest.
They are also the top scorers in the league phase, having found the net eight times.
See More: Callum Osmand, Celtic, Europa League
