Callum McGregor has praised new Celtic striker Kelechi Iheanacho who despite arriving as a post deadline day free agent, is proving himself to be a top player with a big pedigree and one that Brendan Rodgers said on Friday, will end up being loved by the Celtic support.
Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic misses a good scoring opportunity. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock/IMAGO
That might have happened a little earlier had he taken his big chance at the weekend after hammering the ball against the crossbar instead of finding the back of the empty net. But he can put that right on Thursday night against Sporting Braga by getting his first goal at Celtic Park.
“Since Kelechi’s come in, he’s obviously scored a couple of goals already — but you could see it in training,” the Celtic captain noted as reported by Newsquest owned TCW. “I think the first time I saw him, you know, you can just tell by the way someone hits the ball — you think, ‘Right, he can play.’ He’s got a big pedigree.
Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic reacts after missing a good scoring opportunity. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock/IMAGO
“He’s played at big clubs and obviously played under the manager at Leicester as well. And you can see he’s a good player.
“The reason we’ve got him is probably because he’s lacking a bit of game time and just needs to get up to speed. The good thing is, he’s come in and his attitude’s been amazing. He’s working hard, he’s part of the group already — it feels like he’s been here for a while — and he wants to do well.
“So, it’s brilliant energy for the group to feed off,’ Calmac added. “Everything happens for a reason. It’s one of these things. It’s an amazing football club, and there are always special narratives within that.
Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic misses the ball in front of the Hibernian goal. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, , Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock
“There are sliding-door moments, and we have to make the most of them. We’ve got a really top player in the building. He looks hungry, so we just need to keep on him and hopefully get the best out of him.
Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Celtic. Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his goal Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock
“Good business comes in many forms. You don’t always need to pay big money for good players — it’s about getting them at the right time and getting them hungry. There are so many factors involved when you sign players. You need them at the right moment.
Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates scoring the winner for Celtic at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
“It certainly looks like a good piece of business, and we just need to keep backing it up and proving it on the pitch.”
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