Kelechi Iheanacho – On bench at Rugby Park, reckons Rodgers will stay at Celtic | OneFootball

Kelechi Iheanacho has stated that he is fit and available for Celtic’s Scottish Premiership encounter with Kilmarnock this weekend…

Celtic fans at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star.

However The Celtic Star can reveal that a reliable source, who has spoken to Iheanacho’s agent, doesn’t expect him to start on Sunday but instead Iheanacho will be on the bench. Our source also revealed that, “the player is very close with Brendan and surprisingly wasn’t under the impression that the manager was off at the end of the season.”

Kelechi Iheanacho, he says, is prepared to do everything possible to make a real success of his time at Celtic. “He is desperate to do well here and will do the one-year option all going well.”

The Nigerian forward joined Celtic last week on a one-year deal, which includes that option for the club to extend his stay by another 12 months.

Celtic fans protest at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

After spending the week training alongside his new teammates, Iheanacho may be in line to make his debut from the bench for Celtic when they face Stuart Kettlewell’s side at Rugby Park on Sunday following the international break.

READ THIS…Last night the Celtic Rebellion officially started, it’s aim is to force change

When asked on Celtic’s official YouTube channel whether he is ready to be thrown straight into competitive action this weekend, Iheanacho said: “Yeah, I’m ready.” He added: “I’ve always been ready since I started playing football.”

Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Leicester City at Vitality Stadium on February 27, 2024. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

The 28-year-old – who lifted both the FA Cup and Community Shield under Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City – is keen to collect further silverware with Celtic.

“Funnily enough, when I came in here, I saw the trophies they have won. Just seeing like 50-something, a lot of trophies,” Celtic’s newest recruit said.

“It looks like it is something normal for the club, so they are used to winning trophies, and they are comfortable doing that. Hopefully, I will be part of that great thing here to join them and win trophies.”

“I will be happy to be part of it and, of course, to play my part to help the team to do that. They have done it over the years, every year they keep doing it, keep winning trophies, so they are a very massive club. It is a massive city, and I am happy to be here.”

Celtic fans protest at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

The game at Rugby Park, which has a 3pm kick-off on Sunday, will be the first match since the Club issued that statement last Saturday night, which was followed by Votes of No Confidence in the Celtic Board by the various Celtic Supporters groups, including the CSA, Affiliation and the AICSCs together with the Green Brigade and Bhoys Celtic.

A meeting was held at Gracies in the Merchant City last night and was attended by The Celtic Star. The Celtic support’s first match day response is likely to be seen at Rugby Park on Sunday.

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Eighties – Out Now!…

Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is out now on Celtic Star Books. Celtic in the Eighties is now available in the Celtic superstore and all other club shops. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy directly from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage.

Order Celtic in the Eighties today, you’ll be glad you did, it’s a fabulous read!

OUT NOW! Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.

More Stories / Latest News

Kelechi Iheanacho – On bench at Rugby Park, reckons Rodgers will stay at Celtic

Sep 11 2025, 9:48

Last night the Celtic Rebellion officially started, it’s aim is to force change

Sep 11 2025, 8:35

Brendan Rodgers here for five in a row or maybe eight

Sep 10 2025, 17:43