Celtic secured a 2–1 victory over Hibernian in a hard-fought Scottish Premiership clash, with Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho scoring the winning goal as a substitute. Introduced in the 70th minute, Iheanacho made an immediate impact, registering one tackle, two ball recoveries, and delivering several key passes before finding the net. His 89th-minute strike crowned a patient second-half performance from Celtic, who had trailed 1–0 at halftime after a Hibernian opener. The turnaround came after Hibernian were reduced to ten men, though the numerical advantage did not immediately unlock the game for Celtic. Iheanacho's composed finish followed sustained pressure, sealing all three points for the hosts. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill praised the Nigerian's composure and quality, noting his ability to influence the game despite limited playing time. Iheanacho has now scored four goals in ten league appearances this season, maintaining his role as a key impact player off the bench. After the match, Iheanacho said he was thrilled to help the team win, emphasizing the importance of patience when playing against a compact, defensive side.
A player who has started just once in ten league games is Celtic's fourth-highest scorer, exposing a reliance on bench contributions rather than consistent starting strength. Iheanacho's decisive 89th-minute goal after 20 minutes of play suggests gaps in Celtic's ability to break down stubborn defenses early. With four goals in limited action, the Nigerian's efficiency highlights a mismatch between starting lineup output and substitute impact. If the main XI cannot dominate sooner, Celtic may keep needing late heroics to secure results.
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