Wilfried Nancy confirms Kelechi Iheanacho injury blow for Celtic

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The Celtic Star

·17 de dezembro de 2025

Wilfried Nancy confirms Kelechi Iheanacho injury blow for Celtic

Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy has revealed that Kelechi Iheanacho has picked up a further hamstring problem, although the club are still unable to put a timescale on his recovery…

Kelechi Iheanacho is injured during the Premier Sports Cup Final match between St Mirren and Celtic at Hampden Park on December 14, 2025. (Photo by Vagelis Georgariou, The Celtic Star)

The striker had only recently returned to action after a long-term hamstring injury, making a brief appearance off the bench in Thursday’s Europa League clash with Roma before being named in the starting line-up for Sunday’s League Cup final defeat to St Mirren.

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Iheanacho fitness issues a real concern

That comeback to the pitch for the Nigerian was short-lived as Iheanacho was withdrawn before half-time after showing clear signs of discomfort. The 29-year-old was seen holding the back of his leg and was unable to continue.

Speaking after the match, Nancy confirmed the setback involves Iheanacho’s hamstring once again, but stressed that further assessment is required before determining how long he will be out for.

There was also a concern over Anthony Ralston, who was substituted with a clear facial injury, but early indications suggest he has come through unscathed and is expected to be available for tonight’s trip to Tannadice.

First 20 words on team news ever delivered by Nancy as Celtic manager?

Kelechi Iheanacho. Dundee v Celtic. 19 October 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Speaking ahead of tonight’s Scottish Premiership encounter against Dundee United via Celtic’s official YouTube channel, Nancy said: “Ralston is okay. But Kelechi is going to be out. It’s hamstring, but I don’t know yet for how long.”

Also, Nancy dismissed any suggestion he is under pressure, maintaining that he does not feel the need to justify his credentials amid early questions over his suitability for the Celtic role after losing his first three matches as manager.

He said: “This is my job. This is a normal reaction. Don’t forget that I come from Europe, so I know the way it works.”

“And to be fair, also in MLS, it is the same. Not with the same intensity obviously, but I have been a player also, so no problem with that. They can say what they want, and I understand that. After that, do I accept it or not? This is not the topic. The topic is to be good with my players, to be good in training, and to be good also during the game to win games.”

“I don’t have to prove anything for anybody. Simple as that. I have to just be coherent with my team and to do my job as the best as I can. And after that, I think that things will turn, not on my side, but it is going to be more positive.”

Callum McGregor with Wilfried Nancy. Premier Sports Cup Final. St Mirren v Celtic. Hampden Park, Sunday 14 December 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

The Frenchman added: “So, for the moment, it has been 10 days that I am here. As I said, I knew that before I came here that it could be difficult regarding the situation, regarding the fact that this is the first time for everyone to have a coach who comes in the middle of the season like this.”

“So I knew that it could be a lot of adversity, but again, like I said, I am really happy to be here, and I do my job as the best as I can. After that, things will go in a more positive way.”

Conor Spence