Callum McGregor backs Celtic summer signing to make big impact | OneFootball

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has backed summer signing Kelechi Iheanacho to make a big impact. The Nigerian international signed as a free agent having left Sevilla on deadline day.

Iheanacho scored from the spot on his debut to deliver three points against Kilmarnock. This strike was followed up with an assist against Partick and a goal against Red Star.

Speaking after the stalemate against Hibernian, McGregor praised Iheanacho and predicted that more is to come from the ex-Leicester City striker.

“Since he’s come in, he’s obviously scored a couple of goals already. But you could see it in training.

“I think the first time I saw him, you can just tell by the way people hit the ball. You think ‘Right, he can play.’

He’s got a big pedigree, he’s played at big clubs, and obviously played with the manager at Leicester as well.

Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates scoring the winner for Celtic at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“And you can see he’s a good player.

“So, the reason we’ve got him is because he’s probably lacking a bit of game time and getting up to speed.

“The good thing about him is he’s come in, his attitude’s been amazing. He’s working hard. “He’s part of the group already, feels like he’s been here for a while.

“And he wants to do well. So, it’s brilliant energy for the group to just feed off as well.

“Everything happens for a reason, you know? It’s one of these things.

“It’s an amazing football club. And there’s always special narratives within that as well.

Kelechi Iheanacho scores for Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

“In football, everything happens for a reason.

“There are sliding-door moments, and we have to make the most of that, of course. We have a really top player in the building.

“Kelechi looks hungry, so we just need to keep on him and hopefully get the best out of him.

“Good business comes in many forms. You don’t always need to pay big money for good players.

“It’s about getting them at the right time and getting them hungry and all these different things.

“There are so many factors in when you get players. You need them at the right time and all these things.

“So, it certainly looks like a good piece of business.”

No-one would’ve complained about Iheanacho being signed had the deal been done in July with work being done to add further attackers, especially if there had been significant interest in Daizen Maeda. Rodgers has confirmed that the work is already underway for January with a view to new arrivals coming in.

Celtic need to find their clinical edge in attack, having struggled to replicate last season’s free flowing, attacking play. The manager spoke about bringing quality in during the summer, which very publicly was not done quickly and effectively.

A factor that Celtic have been struggling with has been the wide areas and creating chances for the central attackers. The change from last season has been alarming but Brendan and the squad will hope that the run of games will get fans on the edge of their seat watching Celtic again.