“Hopefully it’ll be a great season,” Kelechi Iheanacho

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The Celtic Star

·5 settembre 2025

“Hopefully it’ll be a great season,” Kelechi Iheanacho

Kelechi Iheanacho has spoken out for the first time since joining Celtic as the striker looks to replace both Kyogo and Adam Idah in the Celtic squad after signing as a free agent after the transfer window closed…

The forward arrived at the Scottish champions as a free signing immediately after the summer transfer window had closed and Brendan Rodgers’ side were scrambling about for a striker.

Replacing Adam Idah after his £7 million switch to Swansea City, Iheanacho has set his sights on winning trophies despite knocking the club back for Middlesbrough in January.

OneFootball Video

Kelechi Iheanacho of Middlesbrough in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough FC and Queens Park Rangers FC at Riverside Stadium on March 11, 2025. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Speaking to the official Celtic website, Iheanacho said: “I’m excited to be a Celtic player and I’m feeling really good about it. Celtic is a massive club and I’ve been following them for a long time.”

“I’m happy to be a part of that now, and hopefully it’ll be a great season. I’m looking forward to fighting for silverware with Celtic. In England, I won trophies so hopefully I can be a winner with Celtic as well. I can’t wait to be a part of all of it and I’m very confident that I can bring a lot to the team.”

It’s obvious that Iheanacho, following the example of Kasper Schmeichel, is another addition linked to Rodgers’ network of trusted players he had at Leicester City, and Schmeichel has certainly turned out to be a good one so far.

As mentioned, – like Celtic’s no.1 – Iheanacho also worked with Rodgers at the Foxes, where he lifted both the FA Cup and the Community Shield. His best goalscoring season so far was during Rodgers’ tenure at the Foxes, when he struck 19 goals in the 2020/21 campaign.

Brendon Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, looks on prior to the match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on August 31, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Speaking about his relationship with the Celtic boss, Iheanacho said: “I’m really happy to be working with Brendan again. He’s a great man and a great coach with a good personality, and I’m happy to be playing under him again. The gaffer knows me, and he knows what I can offer, so I just can’t wait to get going.”

📰 Kelechi Iheanacho: I’m here to fight for silverware with Celtic 💬 "I’m excited to be a Celtic player and I’m feeling really good about it. Celtic is a massive club and I’ve been following them for a long time." #WelcomeKelechi | #CelticFC🍀
– giovedì 4 settembre 2025

“When I was at Leicester, I used to sit next to Kasper in the changing room, so I’ll be happy to see him again. It’s been a long time, so I’m looking forward to speaking to him again.”

Iheanacho scored against Celtic in a 1-1 Champions League group stage game at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, having been an unused substitute in a dramatic 3-3 draw at Celtic Park just a few months earlier.

“I was on the bench for Manchester City at Celtic Park back in 2016,” he said. “It was a cold night, but it was such a massive atmosphere! The Celtic fans are incredible, and I can’t wait to play for them now.”

“I’ll always give my best for the fans. I can’t wait to share good times with them and play good football.”

Celtic's striker options: • Kelechi Iheanacho - Unfit. Sevilla literally release him from his contract • Daizen Maeda - wants to leave • Shin Yamada - not trusted for Europa League squad • Johnny Kenny - has maybe 10 games for Celtic? • Callum Osmond - wee guy
– venerdì 5 settembre 2025

Celtic in the Eighties – Out Now! In Celtic shops on Friday…

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, out now!

Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is officially published today Friday 5 September by Celtic Star Books. All pre-ordered copies have been signed by Celtic legend Danny McGrain who has also written the foreword for David Potter’s final book.

These copies have now been posted to everyone who has pre-ordered with copies being send all over the world. It’s been an incredible response, so thank you to each and every one of you who will be receiving your signed book shorty.

Celtic in the Eighties will be available in the Celtic superstore and all other club shops from today. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy directly from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage.