Kelechi Iheanacho: What Celtic Coach Said About Super Eagles Striker After Missed Chances
- Celtic manager has praised Kelechi Iheanacho’s overall contribution despite his missed chances versus Hibernian
- The Super Eagles forward hit the woodwork and had a goal ruled out by VAR in the goalless draw on Saturday
- Celtic will hope Iheanacho hits form when they turn their attention to their UEFA Europa League next week
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has thrown his support behind Kelechi Iheanacho despite the Nigerian forward failing to convert key chances in Celtic’s 0-0 draw with Hibernian on Saturday.
The Super Eagles forward, who signed for the Scottish champions as a free agent this summer, was handed his first league start at Celtic Park and came close to scoring twice, but luck was not on his side.
Source: Getty Images
Iheanacho has had a torrid year and was released by Spanish La Liga side Sevilla in the summer, which prompted his move to join Celtic.
Narrow misses cost Celtic vital points
According to the BBC, Iheanacho nearly opened the scoring in the 21st minute when his left-footed strike hit the woodwork after a pinpoint cross from Daizen Maeda.
In the second half, the 28-year-old forward thought he had finally broken the deadlock, only for his close-range finish to be ruled out by VAR for offside, much to the frustration of the Celtic fans in attendance.
Celtic were unable to find a winner after Iheanacho was replaced in the 67th minute by Benjamin Nygren, leaving them with dropped points for only the second time this season.
The result sees Brendan Rodgers' team slip to second place in the Scottish Premiership table.
Rodgers backs Iheanacho despite missed chances
After the match, Brendan Rodgers spoke glowingly about Iheanacho’s contribution and backed the Super Eagles forward to rediscover his scoring form, All Nigeria Soccer reports.
Source: Getty Images
“Kels will probably be disappointed he didn’t score maybe a couple of goals, but that’s a reference point to the team,” Rodgers said.
“And maybe his touch and everything else. He was good, and that would be good for him.”
Rodgers highlighted the Nigerian striker’s overall involvement and movement as positives, insisting that it is only a matter of time before the Super Eagles star finds the back of the net again.
Focus shifts to European games
The draw against Hibernian serves as a reminder of the fine margins in the title race as Celtic prepare for their next challenge, a UEFA Europa League clash with Portuguese side Braga next week.
Iheanacho will be eager to respond on the continental stage and show why Celtic were quick to bring him in after his exit from Sevilla in the summer.
With the Scottish champions now sitting second in the league standings, Rodgers will hope Iheanacho rediscovers his sharpness quickly as the club battles to regain top spot.
Iheanacho scores trademark goal
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Iheanacho scored Celtic's only goal in their 1-1 draw against Crvena Zvezda in their 2025 UEFA Europa League opening match on Wednesday night, September 24
The Super Eagles forward replaced Daizen Maeda in the 46th minute and scored for the Scottish champions in the 55th minute.
Source: Legit.ng
