Duran and Osmand turn Celtic's Europa League night around against Besiktas

Celtic came from a goal down to beat Besiktas 3-2 at Parkhead on Thursday in the Europa League, with substitutes Callum Osmand and Camilo Duran transforming a game that had appeared to be slipping away, according to BBC Sport's report. With an hour played, the Scottish side trailed 1-0 and were facing the prospect of a fourth consecutive defeat in this season's competition. Manager Martin O'Neill then turned to his bench, sending on Osmand and Duran in place of Sebastian Tounekti and James Forrest out wide.

The impact was almost immediate. Osmand's first touch found the bottom corner of Alexander Nubel's goal just 43 seconds after the 20-year-old attacker entered the pitch, giving Celtic a route back into the match and, in the report's assessment, a threat in behind that left Besiktas rattled. 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 pass the report described as delightful, and the Colombian rounded Nubel before putting Celtic ahead. Orkun Kokcu equalised for Besiktas with a fine strike, but Duran restored the lead two minutes later, controlling a scuffed shot from Kieran Tierney and beating Nubel from close range.

The contrast between Celtic's attack with Hogh leading the line and with Duran in that role was described as stark. The £11m Dane, signed from Bodo/Glimt in the summer, has now failed to score in 16 of his 17 Celtic appearances; against Besiktas he had no shots and only one touch in the opposition box during his 77 minutes. Duran, by comparison, played about half an hour, scored twice, had two shots and registered four touches in the Besiktas box. BBC Sport noted that O'Neill has previously said he is unsure of his best team, but concluded it is now obvious that Duran is Celtic's best option through the middle, and that despite Hogh's price tag it feels inevitable he will be among the substitutes for high-stakes games. Osmand, a former Fulham player, also appears to have pushed himself towards a starting place on the left, with the report citing his directness and a habit of scoring in big games.

Former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov, speaking on TNT Sports, said everything changed with the substitutions, with Osmand coming on and Duran moving through the middle, and that the changes freed space for Nygren and Baur over what he called a really positive 30 minutes. BBC Sport noted that 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 said Osmand's first-touch finish was really difficult and that Duran has been fabulous all season no matter where he plays. Asked whether the changes were inspired substitutions or evidence he should have started his best players, O'Neill rejected the suggestion he was defending himself, saying the plan was designed to do exactly what it did, that nine games in 25 days meant some players needed a breather, and that those brought on were always going to feature at some point.

Hearts defender Craig Halkett, also on TNT Sports, said it would be tough for Hogh, noting he was the big-money signing but it is not coming off for him, and advising that a player in that position must keep his head down, keep working and hope it turns. Osmand told TNT Sports that Duran did amazingly and is such a poacher, that starting games is a lot harder, and that the team dug in and stayed strong to get their rewards. He said the goal caught him off guard but he was glad he caught it nicely, adding that he simply wants to come on and make something happen. The result gave Celtic their first Europa League win of the season, per the report.