Duran and Osmand turn Celtic’s fortunes against Besiktas

Celtic came from behind to beat Besiktas 3-2 in the Europa League on Thursday, with substitutes Callum Osmand and Camilo Duran changing the game and raising questions over striker Kasper Hogh’s place in the side.

Celtic were trailing 1-0 when manager Martin O’Neill brought on Osmand and Duran just after the hour. Osmand equalised with his first touch, 43 seconds after entering the match. Duran, moved into the centre-forward role after Hogh was withdrawn in the 77th minute, put Celtic ahead after being played through by Osmand.

Orkun Kokcu levelled for Besiktas, but Duran scored again two minutes later, turning in Kieran Tierney’s scuffed shot to secure Celtic’s first Europa League win of the season.

O’Neill said the substitutions were planned, explaining that Celtic had played nine games in 25 days and some players needed a rest. Former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov praised the changes, saying they freed up space for other attackers.

The performance sharpened the contrast between Hogh and Duran. Hogh, who joined from Bodo/Glimt for a reported £11m, did not have a shot or touch the ball in the Besiktas penalty area during his 77 minutes on the pitch. Duran scored twice in around half an hour. Hogh has scored in one of his 17 Celtic appearances, according to BBC Sport.

Those figures make Duran’s case for a central role compelling, but one match does not settle the selection question. O’Neill has previously said he is unsure of his best team, while Hogh’s limited return leaves him under pressure to make an impact.