Duran and Osmand turn Celtic's Europa League night as Hogh's role comes under scrutiny
Substitutes Callum Osmand and Camilo Duran transformed Celtic's comeback against Besiktas, raising questions over record signing Kasper Hogh's place through the middle.
Celtic trailed Besiktas 1-0 at Parkhead on Thursday with an hour gone, on course for a fourth successive Europa League defeat. Manager Martin O'Neill turned to his bench, bringing on Callum Osmand and Camilo Duran for Sebastian Tounekti and James Forrest. The effect was immediate: Osmand scored with his first touch 43 seconds after entering, giving Celtic a threat in behind and unsettling the visitors.
O'Neill then withdrew Kasper Hogh on 77 minutes and moved Duran through the middle. Osmand played Duran in, and the Colombian rounded Alexander Nubel to put Celtic ahead. Orkun Kokcu equalised with a fine strike, but Duran restored the lead two minutes later, controlling Kieran Tierney's scuffed shot and beating Nubel from close range.
Former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov, speaking on TNT Sports, said everything changed with the substitutions, with Osmand coming on and Duran moving centrally, freeing space for Nygren and Baur over a positive 30 minutes. O'Neill praised both scorers, noting Osmand's first-touch finish and calling Duran fabulous all season regardless of where he plays. Asked whether the changes were inspiration or evidence he should have started his best players, O'Neill said the plan was designed to have that effect, citing nine games in 25 days and the need to re-energise some players from the bench.
The contrast between the two strikers was stark. Hogh, the £11m Dane signed from Bodo/Glimt in the summer, has now failed to score in 16 of his 17 Celtic appearances and had no shots and one touch in the Besiktas box in his 77 minutes. Duran, on for half an hour, scored twice, had two shots and registered four touches in the opposition area.
Hearts defender Craig Halkett told TNT Sports it will be tough for Hogh, noting he was the big-money signing but it is not coming off for him, and advising him to keep working and hope it turns. Osmand, the former Fulham attacker, also appears to have pushed himself forward to start on the left, telling TNT Sports he was caught off guard by his goal but was glad he caught it well and just wants to make something happen when he comes on.
Image: SNS / BBC Sport
