The Hoops destroyed their opponents in Glasgow with five different goal scorers on the scoresheet. And it was double hero Callum Osmand who came off at half-time despite chasing what would have been a famous hatrrick on his first ever career competitive start.

Osmand did not resurface after the break and was replaced by Jota. And O'Neill explained how head physio Tim Williamson advised the manager to leave the 20-year-old in the dressing room as a precaution.

Which is exactly what the experienced boss did.

Celtic's Callum Osmand celebrates scoring their side's fourth goal during the William Hill Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Sunday October 18, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/the Press Association. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. (Image: Andrew Milligan)

"He had a hamstring problem - I’m not surprised really because he's not played that much,” said O’Neill. “It was more precautionary than anything else.

“It’s just that I was worried. Tim the physiotherapist said just leave him out, and I think he would have said that even if it had been 0-0. I think he he wanted to continue for a while, but I think he saw sense, and I think he should be okay for for Thursday.

"He deserved the chance last midweek. I think he and Hassan coming on at halftime gave us that a bit of impetus in the second half in the match on Thursday, so they both deserved to start the game.

“Callum did great, he has a goal-scoring instinct, there's no question about that. I'm not saying that wide left is his is his strongest position. He's small, so leading the line might be a difficult might be difficult for him, but playing alongside somebody quite strong, I think he could do really well.

“Listen, he wants to play anywhere as long as he's getting into the team.”

Other players O'Neill offered the latest on included Yang and Cameron Carter-Vickers. Neither of whom are expected to be fit for the visit of Celta Vigo.

“The answer would be no, definitely not for Yang,” added the manager. “He’s doing well, he's back on the on the grass as they say now, but no, he'll not be ready for a week or two yet.

“Cameron, the earliest with would probably be seeing him would be the Hibs game [next weekend].”

On the performance inside Celtic Park on Sunday against the Jambos, O'Neill was stunned at just how clinical his side proved to be.

“It was a great, great win,” he said. “I thought the performance was great, certainly gave us confidence going into Thursday evening, and maybe trying to continue that on. Obviously they're [the players] are delighted. The team as a whole are delighted in there, individually I think they should be really pleased.

“I think it's very early [in terms of a four-point lead]. We were four points behind with about seven games to go last season, so it can be it can be eroded very, very quickly.

“But it's nice to win today, and and winning the manner in which we did. From Hearts' viewpoint, probably just a bad day at the office, but and they they'll still be challengers, they've got some really decent players who can play a bit.

“I just think the manner in which we got breaking up play, getting forward, obviously finishing off the chances that we had. This time last week we created a lot of chances against Motherwell, didn't take them, today we took them, and that was probably the most pleasing thing.

“If we lose on Thursday, it'll be crisis back again, so you know, I’ve been here before. You just have to try and win, and we know that anyway. It won't be easy for us, but it would be nice, and that will definitely give us a boost.”