Kelechi Iheanacho – What a way to announce yourself to Celtic | OneFootball

The signing of Kelechi Iheanacho was, to many, an uninspiring result of a lack of transfer strategy across Celtic’s disjointed transfer window…

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

Indeed, the arrival of the former Manchester City and Leicester City player appeared to have much to do with his free-agent status after the transfer window closed, rather than his being on any recruitment shortlist over the course of the summer.

Much like the previous year, when Kasper Schmeichel pulled the Celtic recruitment team out of a Joe Hart–shaped hole, so too has Iheanacho, at the other end of the pitch this time, been claimed as a Brendan Rodgers Rolodex signing.

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

There were also concerns, very much justified, regarding the striker’s fitness and ongoing appetite for the game after unconvincing spells at Sevilla and Middlesbrough, both in terms of goalscoring and supporter frustration. And if that wasn’t enough, Iheanacho’s decision to choose the English Championship over the Champions League last January raised further doubts as to whether he was arriving at Celtic fully committed to the cause, or simply as a player out of options.

Then came Sunday. And what a way to announce yourself to Celtic. An injury-time winner will certainly endear you to the Celtic support, but it wasn’t just the scoring of an under-pressure penalty that started to win over doubters, it was the player’s actions in the build-up to it.

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

Iheanacho must be lacking in confidence. He arrived far from a regular goalscorer at his last two clubs, and he would have been well aware that his arrival at Celtic was viewed as a case of “needs must” rather than “must have.” The turmoil surrounding Celtic would not have gone unnoticed either. So, when the pressure was on, to push himself to the front of the queue and take a penalty under those circumstances took spade-loads of bravery. Miss that penalty and it’s a continuation of poor form in front of goal, more frustration from yet another set of supporters, and an even bigger hill to climb in convincing Celtic fans we have a number nine to hang our hats on.

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

But the story is he did take the penalty, staggered run-up and all. And, having committed the goalkeeper, he sent it above and out of reach in experienced fashion. If he’s lacking confidence, he’s not showing it. The celebration that followed, in with the travelling support, picking up a booking and releasing pent-up frustration before embracing his captain, may be just the tonic Iheanacho needs, and Celtic have been crying out for.

No one is getting carried away. It was a cameo and little more on paper. He looked rusty when he came on, of that there is no doubt, and it will take time for him to get up to speed. But in that one moment, he gave Celtic fans hope and gave himself a shot at career redemption after what must have been a frustrating interlude following successful spells with two big clubs.

Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates with Brendan Rodgers at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

It was brave, and bravery is essential for a Celtic striker. Arguably, it was a no-brainer given his need to impress quickly, but not everyone would have done what he did. Many would have left Benjamin Nygren to take that chance from twelve yards and slowly build into their Celtic career. But he didn’t. He stood up, gambled a lot, and collected his jackpot.

He will now need to build on that, of course, and in terms of fitness and goalscoring regularity there is still much to prove. But what Iheanacho showed on Sunday is that he has the personality for it. And that’s a fine attribute to start us all off with.

Sebastian Tounekti at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Here’s Sebastian Tounekti speaking to The Celtic Star and the three other Celtic fan media outlets yesterday afternoon, watch the video below to hear all the questions and the new Celtic winger’s responses…

Niall J

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