Callum Osmand and Camilo Duran were the key figures as Celtic turned the game around to beat Besiktas 3-2 at Parkhead on Thursday, ending a run of three straight Europa League defeats and earning their first win in the competition this season.
With an hour gone, hope in the stands was in short supply. Celtic were 1-0 down and heading towards a fourth straight defeat in this season’s Europa League. Manager Martin O’Neill turned to his bench for a spark, bringing on Osmand and Duran to replace Sebastian Tounekti and James Forrest out wide.
Osmand’s first touch nestled in the bottom corner of Alexander Nubel’s goal, just 43 seconds after the 20-year-old attacker came on. Suddenly, Celtic had a threat in behind, and Besiktas looked rattled.
Substitutes change the game
On 77 minutes, O’Neill withdrew Kasper Hogh after another underwhelming display from the club record signing and moved Duran through the middle. Osmand then played Duran through with a delightful pass, and the Colombian rounded Nubel before slotting Celtic into the lead.
Orkun Kokcu levelled for Besiktas with a fine strike, but Duran had the final say two minutes later. He controlled Kieran Tierney’s scuffed shot and beat Nubel from close range to send the home support into ecstasy.
Former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov said on TNT Sports that the changes transformed the match. “Everything changed with the subs; Osmand coming on and Duran going through the middle,” Petrov said. “They freed up space for Nygren and Baur. It was a really positive 30 minutes.”
The double also made history of a sort. Not since Johannes Edvaldsson against Jeunesse d’Esch in the European Cup in September 1977 had a Celtic substitute scored twice in Europe, excluding qualifiers.
O’Neill praised both goalscorers. “Osmand came on, first touch put the ball in the net and that’s really difficult, he can definitely score a goal. Duran has been fabulous for us all season no matter where he plays.”
Manager defends the plan
O’Neill was asked whether the substitutions were inspired or evidence that he should have started his best players. He rejected the suggestion that he was defending himself. “I’m not standing up for myself, not at all,” he said. “It was in design to do exactly what it did. We’ve played nine games in 25 days, some players needed a breather and you can get re-energised from coming on the field. I’m going to say that that was our plan and those players were going to come on the pitch at some point in the game.”
Numbers point to Duran
The contrast between Celtic’s attacking play with Hogh leading the line and with Duran through the middle was stark. The £11m Dane’s effort cannot be questioned, and he kept battling to make things happen. However, since arriving from Bodo/Glimt in the summer, he has failed to score in 16 of his 17 Celtic appearances.
In 77 minutes against Besiktas, Hogh did not have a single shot and managed just one touch in the opposition box. Duran played only half an hour, yet he scored two goals, had two shots, and registered four touches in the Besiktas box.
O’Neill has previously said he is unsure of his best team, but the evidence now points clearly to Duran as Celtic’s best option through the middle. Despite Hogh’s price tag, Hearts defender Craig Halkett believes the Dane will likely be among the substitutes for high-stakes games. “It’ll be tough for Hogh,” Halkett said on TNT Sports. “He was the big-money signing but it’s not coming off for him. As a player you need to keep your head down, keep working hard and hope it turns.”
Osmand, meanwhile, has pushed himself to the front of the queue to start on the left. The former Fulham player is direct, has an eye for goal, and has a happy knack for scoring in big games.
“This is a great team we’re playing against,” Osmand told TNT Sports. “Camilo [Duran] did amazing, he’s such a poacher. Credit to him. It’s a lot harder starting games. The team dug in, stayed strong and we got our rewards. [The goal] caught me off guard, but I’m just glad I caught it nice. I just want to come on and make something happen. So happy with tonight.”