“Playing there tomorrow with the fans will be a great honour,” Kelechi Iheanacho | OneFootball

Kelechi Iheanacho spoke to The Celtic Star and other media outlets at this afternoon’s media conference at Lennoxtown ahead of the Hoops’ Scottish Premiership encounter against Hibernian at Celtic Park this weekend…

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

Q: On life at Celtic — how would you sum it up?

Kelechi Iheanacho: “Yeah, it’s very, very busy, to be fair. I’m loving it here. Coming here was a very good decision. Things are going really well at the moment, so hopefully there’s more to come.”

Q: How pleasing is it to have made such a telling contribution already, with your goal against Kilmarnock and then away in Belgrade?

Kelechi Iheanacho: “Yeah, I think the lads have welcomed me really well, and the staff as well. I’m happy being here, enjoying the moment. It’s a good group of guys and staff, so I’m settling in well. I’m happy with how everything has been, and it’s paying off on the pitch too.”

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his goal Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 September 2025 Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic/Shutterstock

Q: From the outside, there was so much said about your arrival here. Celtic fans weren’t sure if they were getting a striker, and then the next day, there you were. What’s it like to be the player at the centre of all that?

Kelechi Iheanacho:  “Yeah, to be fair, I’ve spoken about this before. Right now, I’m just focused on looking forward to the games.”

Q: You’ve made a quick start in terms of goals — you’ve got a couple already. Do you feel this could be one of the best goal-scoring seasons of your career?

Kelechi Iheanacho: “To be fair, I don’t really look at the big picture or whatever’s ahead. I just focus on what I can see at the moment. It’s all about taking it one game at a time and trying to win each one.”

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his goal Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 September 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

Q: You’ve obviously got a good relationship with Brendan Rodgers. What is it about him that brings the best out of you?

Kelechi Iheanacho:  “To be fair, I have very good communication with him — both on and off the pitch. He’s a great manager with a great personality and knows how to manage players. I was with him at Leicester, and reuniting with him here at Celtic is a great opportunity for me. Hopefully, we’ll continue to do well together.”

Q: You obviously want to bring goals to Celtic, but in terms of your all-round link-up play, how important is that in this system?

Kelechi Iheanacho:  “Yeah, it’s important. I’m working on building connections with the players — understanding each and every one of them. Whether it’s the full-backs, defenders, or midfielders, it’s going quite well. That’s helping me settle in. They have great qualities, and we’ll keep working on them in training so they come through in the games.”

Q: What are you personally hoping to achieve during your time in Scottish football?

Kelechi Iheanacho:  “Personally, as a striker, I want to score goals and help the team achieve great things — win trophies and go far in European competitions. Whatever comes my way, I’ll take it. I just need to stay focused, keep my head right in games, and work really hard.”

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

Q: How exciting is the prospect of adding to your medal collection here at Celtic?

Kelechi Iheanacho:  “Yeah, obviously, Celtic is one of those clubs that wins trophies. I’m happy to be here. I can’t wait to win trophies with them, and hopefully we’ll achieve that this season. I want to be a champion with Celtic.”

Q: Wednesday’s match was your first European game since 2022. How rewarding is it to be back at that level?

Kelechi Iheanacho: “Yeah, since I last played in Europe, I’ve been looking forward to getting back to that stage. So here we go again — I’m happy to be back, scoring in Europe. Hopefully, there are many more to come. I’m really excited.”

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

Q: Was there ever a part of you, during those years away from European football, that worried you might not get back there?

Kelechi Iheanacho:  “No, I always believed I would get back to European football. It was just about working my way back up and staying focused. I trusted the process — staying professional, working hard, and earning my way back to that level.”

The Celtic Star: After three away games, you’re now heading into two games at Celtic Park. I think you’ve only played there once before. How much are you looking forward to playing at home?

Kelechi Iheanacho:  “Yeah, before the European game, we trained there. It was great, but the fans weren’t there. Coming back again after a long time — it’s an amazing stadium. Hopefully, playing there tomorrow with the fans will be a great honour. I’d love it — and hopefully I’ll score more goals there.”

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

The Celtic Star: What have your early impressions of Scottish football been like?

Kelechi Iheanacho:  “I’ve been following Scottish football for a while. It’s a great league. I used to watch it even when I was in England. I’ve always had a good impression of it, and now, being part of it, I can say it’s a very competitive and exciting league.”

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

Q: You’ve played a lot of your career in top leagues like the Premier League and La Liga. Coming into the Celtic squad, have any players stood out or made a big impression on you?

Kelechi Iheanacho: “Yeah, to be fair, I told James Forrest when I arrived that I’ve been hearing his name since I came to the UK. He’s been around a long time and is still playing — he’s a legend at this club. It’s a great pleasure for me. Also, the captain has been here for a long time, too. And meeting my friend Kasper again — I’m really happy to see him.”

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

Q: Have you built any quick connections with other players in training? We’ve seen some good link-up play in matches already.

Kelechi Iheanacho: “Yeah, I think the whole team has a good connection. It’s not just about two or three players linking up. The team is built on a collective style of play. The new players and the old players are all working together to build that chemistry, and I think it’s showing.”

Conor Spence

Readers of The Celtic Star and indeed all Celtic supporters joining the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and paying by direct debit will be able to claim a FREE stadium tour worth £18.50.  This promotion will run from now until the 20th October 2025. Click on image to join.

CELTIC IN THE EIGHTIES by DAVID POTTER – OUT NOW!

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.