'I like him': Celtic starlet denied international chance after change in rules

Craig Bellamy says he is disappointed that he can not consider Celtic teenager Callum Osmand for Wales due to a change in the rules around the eligibility of players from the Channel Islands.

Callum Osmand made his Celtic debut last month. | SNS Group

Osmand, who was born in Jersey, was capped by Wales at Under-16 and Under-17 level when players from the Channel Islands were permitted to represent any of the four Home Nations.

However, a change in the regulations means players from the Channel Islands – British Crown Dependencies who are not full FIFA or UEFA members – are now only eligible to play for England. Osmand has no Welsh heritage, meaning he cannot be picked for the national team.

Callum Osmand made his Celtic debut last month. | SNS Group

“I like him, but unfortunately he’s not on the radar to be able to play for us,” said Wales manager Bellamy, who says he has been aware of Osmand’s situation for some time. “If he was it would have been a completely different conversation I would love to have had. I would liked to have talked about it all.”

Osmand has made a dramatic impact since Celtic interim managers Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney succeeded Brendan Rodgers.

He made his senior debut in Celtic’s 4-0 win over Falkirk and netted his first goal for the club in Sunday’s 3-1 Hampden victory over Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.

The 19-year-old has since been added to Celtic’s Europa League squad.