Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has indicated that Kelechi Iheanacho could be in line for a starting role in the upcoming match against Falkirk FC at Celtic Park. The Nigeria international, who joined the club on a free transfer in September 2025, has made a strong impression following recovery from early-season injuries. Iheanacho scored twice in Celtic's recent Scottish Cup win over St Mirren FC, helping the team advance to the final. O'Neill praised his form, stating, "He's looking very, very strong," and acknowledged the player's growing influence. The manager highlighted Iheanacho's technical ability and composure, adding, "His control is really good. Honestly, I've been really pleased with him."
The forward also played a crucial part in the victory over Dundee, coming off the bench to score what proved to be the decisive goal. O'Neill recalled the moment, saying, "He came on at Dundee, scored the goal... probably the only one that would have got us the goal at the time." Despite competition from Daizen Maeda, who has performed well in the central forward role, O'Neill confirmed that Iheanacho is being seriously considered for a starting spot. "He could easily start. He could easily start in the games," he said. The manager also referenced Iheanacho's chance in the match against Dundee United, where a strong save denied him a goal.
Iheanacho's potential promotion to starter comes only after being benched despite scoring decisive goals off the bench. O'Neill's praise now contrasts sharply with the limited minutes given earlier in the season despite clear impact. As a Nigerian international regaining form in Scotland, Iheanacho's resurgence offers hope for consistent playing time. His ability to deliver in key moments may finally force a permanent shift in Celtic's forward selection.
💡 NaijaBuzz is an AI-assisted news aggregator. This content is curated from third-party sources — NaijaBuzz is not the original publisher and is not responsible for the accuracy of source reporting. The NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion only, not established fact. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. NaijaBuzz does not endorse the views expressed in source articles.
