Celtic of Scotland’s new signing, Kelechi Iheanacho got a dream debut in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, as he scored a very late winner for the side he joined this summer on a free transfer from Sevilla of Spain.
Sports247 reports that Iheanacho, who will mark his 29th birthday on October 3rd, got off The Bhoys’ bench in the 70th minute and kept his nerve late in added time to knock home a penalty that gave his side a 2-1win away to Kilmarnock.
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It marked an instant transformation for the former Manchester City and Leicester City attacker, who last season could only manage just a single goal in 15 matches while on loan at Middlesbrough in the lower division English Championship.
Incidentally, Sunday’s personal revival at Rugby Park came for ‘Senior Man’ barely 24 hours after he reeled out accolades for Celtics’ coach, Brendan Rodgers, under whom Iheanacho played some of his most edifying years at Leicester.
During their time together – from February 26, 2019 to April 2, 2023 – The Foxes won the English FA Cup and Community Shield in 2021, thereby giving Iheanacho something to cherish in terms of trophies that light up his career.
Overall, during his time at King Power Stadium, the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup gold medalist and most valuable player scored 35 goals in 173 games, across his long club tenure so far that ran from 2017 to 2024.
The product of Taye Football Academy of Owerri, who earlier in his career played on loan at Columbus Crew of USA from Man City, is now looking forward to better days ahead of him at Parkhead.
The left-footed forward disclosed that he already believes that he will excel at Celtic, now that he is once again playing under the expertise and motivational charge of Rodgers, whom he hailed for his man-maagement and team building skills.
‘Kelz’ disclosed, “He has been of a massive importance in my career. In terms of his impact, I think man management is a good thing about him.
“He manages players well, and he’s a great guy. He knows how to manage his team and the players. He has that gift of managing players very well on the pitch and outside the pitch.”
Iheanacho then took his mind back to the days he spent together with Rodgers at Leicester and concluded that it was an epochsl moment that helped him put his career back on track after the disappointment of leaving Etihad Stadium.
“He was able to look after me when I was in Leicester, and he gave me the opportunity to show my talent and help the team to win trophies.
“He’s a great manager, a great person, and a good personality. So, I’m happy to play for him again, and I’m happy to be a Celtic player. I’m here to fight for the club,” Iheanacho assured.
