Celtic fans can’t take much from another damaging defeat under Martin O’Neill.

On Thursday evening, Celtic were beaten 4-1 by Benfica in Lisbon, with more questions than answers for O’Neill.

Celtic fans are rightfully furious with another pathetic display in Europe, but Neil Lennon wanted to give a shout-out to the returning Callum Osmand.

Osmand came on as a half-time substitute for the out-of-sorts Sebastian Tounekti, and Lennon claims that the former Fulham player was a ‘livewire’ for the champions of Scotland.

Club record signing Kasper Hogh has scored in just ONE game this season…Why is he struggling so much?!

Let us know in the comments 👇

Neil Lennon gives his flowers to Callum Osmand

Osmand has had his injury issues again this season, but his return to action is much-needed because Celtic are really struggling in the wide areas.

The build-up play is way too slow, and there is little risk taken in the final third by the attacking players, as was proven in the first 45 minutes against Benfica.

But Lennon hit the nail on the head when he told Premier Sports that Osmand was ‘full of threat’ in that second half, including having several guilt-edge chances to score.

“He has been a livewire since coming on, Callum Osmand,” said Lennon. “Full of running. Full of threat. Really good. Really positive, this kid.”

Osmand’s numbers during Celtic’s Europa League defeat to Benfica

Celtic face Hearts on Sunday, and it will be interesting to see if Osmand is in the starting XI, because he earned it against Benfica.

Tounekti simply can’t start, while Hyunjun Yang is still out of action, so it leaves O’Neill with very little to choose from.

But the Celtic manager should have seen enough in the Europa League to hand Osmand a golden chance to earn another long-awaited start.

Either way, while many of his teammates struggled against Benfica, Osmand showed O’Neill that there is something to cheer about on their miserable flight back from Portugal to Scotland.