McGregor hails young strikers as Celtic advance to Cup finals

Callum McGregor told young strikers Johnny Kenny and Callum Osmand that they could conquer the world after both scored in Celtic’s thrilling 3-1 Premier Sports Cup semi-final victory over Rangers on Sunday.

Sligo native Kenny, who joined the Hoops from Sligo Rovers in 2022 and had loan spells at Queen’s Park and Shamrock Rovers, has recently earned opportunities due to injuries to Daizen Maeda and Kelechi Iheanacho. 

The 22-year-old netted twice in a 4-0 midweek win over Falkirk and headed Celtic in front after 25 minutes at Hampden Park. Rangers’ Thelo Aasgaard was dismissed before half-time for a reckless challenge on Anthony Ralston.

Rangers captain James Tavernier’s 81st-minute penalty forced extra time, but McGregor blasted in a goal three minutes into the additional period. 

Nineteen-year-old substitute Osmand, who joined from Fulham in the summer, then scored his first Celtic goal to secure a final against St Mirren.

Speaking after the match, McGregor said that it was always an opportunity for every player when they came in and that the young strikers were working extremely hard to develop and reach the level of the first-team players.

McGregor, likewise, is enjoying working under the new management team of O’Neill, Maloney, Mark Fotheringham, and Stephen McManus.

He said that it was a collective effort, always had been, and always would be. He added that the staff behind the manager had been so good that week, providing continuity of message, training level, and everything, as it was all interconnected. 

He further explained that the manager could not do it on his own and needed his backroom staff, just as the players could not do it on their own, emphasizing that it was a real collective effort and that he was super proud of that in the last week.

Following Brendan Rodgers’ resignation as Parkhead manager last Monday, 73-year-old Martin O’Neill, who led the Hoops from 2000 to 2005, and former Parkhead player Shaun Maloney were appointed as the temporary management team.

Celtic’s next fixture is Europa League action against FC Midtjylland on Thursday, November 6.