Callum Osmand couldn’t have asked for a much better first Celtic start this season after scoring twice in Sunday’s 7-1 thrashing of Hearts.

Former Celtic striker Tony Watt has now explained why he was already excited about Osmand after facing him in a pre-season friendly.

And after watching Osmand help Celtic dismantle Hearts, it’s little wonder Watt remains amazed with the teenager.

Tony Watt says Callum Osmand’s Celtic movement was ‘world class’

Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, Watt revealed what he had seen from Osmand before the youngster’s impressive display against Hearts.

Watt said: “But I’m hoping it’s not an injury because the boys struggled with injuries, but do you know what he is? And I was saying to Jim again, like I seen enough of him last season to be excited.

“He works his socks off. But we played him in a pre-season friendly, and his movement in behind, and I’m not exaggerating here, it was world class.

“His movement, I’m not saying he’s a world class player, I’m saying his movement.”

Watt had watched Osmand closely from the dugout during the first half of the friendly.

He continued: “I played the second half, he played the first half, and we were in the dugout right in line with him.

“Maybe our defenders dropped 10 yards into the half and see how fast and how willing he was at running. It was unbelievable to watch.”

Callum Osmand stakes his claim for more Celtic starts

Osmand scored twice in the space of three minutes against Hearts, having been given his opportunity from the start by Martin O’Neill.

The Celtic manager had already explained what Osmand did to earn his starting place following his performance against Benfica.

Osmand was playing off the left against Hearts, but his instincts are those of a striker. Both goals came from getting himself into scoring positions inside the penalty area.

His performance also gave Celtic supporters a glimpse of what they have been missing while injuries interrupted his progress.

O’Neill will have to manage Osmand’s fitness carefully after his recent problems, particularly with Celtic facing a demanding run of fixtures.

But Osmand has waited long enough for his opportunity at Celtic. Two goals against Hearts have given O’Neill a compelling reason to keep him in the team.