Kelechi Iheanacho has got to play in the remaining fixtures

Kelechi Iheanacho has got to play in the next run of fixtures, whether starting or coming on as a Celtic super sub…

Kelechi Iheanacho prepare to come on.

Kelechi Iheanacho prepare to come on. Dundee v Celtic. Sunday 5 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

One of the main reasons for our vital league win at Dens Park on Sunday, was the contribution of Kelechi Iheanacho who not only scored our winning goal, but gave us a much needed added shot of quality in our powderpuff forward line.

The Nigerian international has missed a chunk of the season due to the same recurring hamstring issue, but he’s been slowly and gradually getting weaned back into the side, and now fully fit, it’s clearly paying dividends.

Kelechi Iheanacho scores the winner

Kelechi Iheanacho scores the winner. Dundee v Celtic. Sunday 5 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Kelechi is without doubt the most talented centre forward on our books at this moment, and being a free transfer it says a lot about the incompetence of our recruitment system, but we can only go with what we’ve got, and Kelechi is the best that we currently have in his position.

It’s not just his ability in front of goal, it’s his overall play that gives us much more of a cutting edge in the attacking third. The former Manchester City and Leicester City man uses his physicality to great effect, whilst also hugely effective in his hold up and link up play, and perhaps more importantly he knows the way to goal.

Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates

Dundee v Celtic. Sunday 5 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

The Nigerian showed his experience and class on Sunday after replacing the ineffective Tomas Cvancara just before the hour mark, and made us look a more dangerous proposition in an attacking sense. He’s played at the highest level of the game these past few years, and it showed.

Kelechi is as close as anything we’ve got to resembling the complete centre forward, and we have to utilise that talent for the remainder of the campaign, if we harbour any ambition of defending our title and winning the Scottish Cup.

Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates with Yang

Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates with Yang. Dundee v Celtic. Sunday 5 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

We need to play the best players available to us, and Kelechi Iheanacho is most certainly one of those. If fitness is a concern Martin O’Neill might limit him to a half hour super sub role initially but as he gets more game-time under his belt he’s got to start.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

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1 Comment

  1. Going a bit over the top, with kelchi scoring his first and only goal from open play on Sunday?

    Would still agree that he should remain as 1 of our 2 striker option, within our match day squad imo?

    Still think MoN and Maloney, will potentially be looking at Maeda and Seb as his left options.
    Kelchi and Cvancara in the striker role. With Yang and forrest on the right, if all 6 are fit and available for selection imo?

    Still would be hoping for a better goal returns, than what has been achieved so far this season, from our attacking options.
    But we are at a stage of the season, where whoever scores goals, doesn’t matter as long as winning results are achieved?

    We still remain in the unusual situation of using defensive options, within our 5 subs available?
    Got away with it on Sunday, and contributed to a winning goal all the same?
    Surprised by such an approach, and wouldn’t be a huge fan of the likes, within games where we are chasing a goal imo?