Celtic hand Kelechi Iheanacho new deal: 2 demands Super Eagles striker must make

Kelechi Iheanacho’s Celtic future appears to be heading towards a positive resolution after manager Martin O’Neill confirmed that the Scottish champions have tabled a fresh contract offer for the Nigerian striker, Afrik Foot reports.

The 29-year-old became a free agent at the end of June after Celtic allowed the extension clause in his previous deal to expire. However, after his impressive end to last season, the Hoops are keen to keep him at Parkhead.

Iheanacho scored crucial goals as Celtic completed a domestic double, proving to be one of the club’s most effective impact players despite struggling with injuries and limited starts.

Coach O’Neill, speaking in quotes revealed by Celts are here, confirmed that the Hoops have tabled a new contract for the former Manchester City striker.

“There’s an offer there to him at this minute. So we’ll see how that develops,” the 74-year-old said.

While remaining in Glasgow could be beneficial for both parties, the Super Eagles striker should ensure certain conditions are met before putting pen to paper.

Two demands Kelechi Iheanacho must make in new Celtic deal

1. Greater playing opportunities and a clearly defined role

Iheanacho’s numbers last season showed that he can still make a difference at the highest level.

The former Leicester City striker scored six league goals despite making only nine substitute appearances during the Premiership run-in. He also delivered in the Scottish Cup, scoring in both the semi-final and final.

However, constantly coming off the bench may not be enough for a player entering what could be the final major years of his career.

At 29, Iheanacho needs regular football to remain relevant for Nigeria, especially with competition increasing in Eric Chelle’s squad.

Victor Osimhen remains untouchable, while Tolu Arokodare, Rafiu Durosinmi, Akor Adams and several younger forwards are all pushing for opportunities.

If Iheanacho is to remain in Scotland, he must seek assurances regarding his role in the team.

That does not necessarily mean demanding a guaranteed starting place, but he should expect significantly more minutes and a tactical setup that allows him to influence games consistently rather than being limited to late substitute appearances.

A full pre-season and improved fitness could finally allow Celtic fans to see the best version of Iheanacho.

2. Greater squad investment to compete on multiple fronts

Celtic face another demanding season. Aside from defending their Scottish Premiership crown and Scottish Cup title, the Hoops will also have UEFA Champions League commitments, where squad depth often plays a role in how far a team goes in the competition.

Last season exposed some weaknesses within the squad, particularly when injuries began to pile up.

Iheanacho himself suffered from fitness issues, damaging his hamstring twice, while several attacking players were forced into heavy workloads during crucial periods of the season.

If Celtic genuinely want to compete domestically and in Europe, significant reinforcement across multiple positions is essential.

The Nigerian striker should seek assurances that the club intends to strengthen adequately this summer rather than relying on a relatively thin squad.

Additional attacking options, midfield depth and defensive reinforcements would not only improve Celtic’s chances of success but would also reduce the physical burden on experienced players like Iheanacho.

A stronger squad would create better competition, allow for effective rotation and increase the likelihood of winning silverware.

For a player who has already won trophies in England and Scotland, competing merely to make up the numbers in Europe should not be enough.

Why staying at Celtic still makes sense

Despite interest from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and Major League Soccer, Celtic remains a logical destination for Iheanacho.

He knows the club, understands the demands of Scottish football and enjoys the trust of Martin O’Neill.

Most importantly, he rediscovered his confidence in Glasgow after difficult spells at Sevilla, Middlesbrough and Leicester City.

However, this new contract could potentially be one of the last major deals of his career, considering his age.

For that reason, Iheanacho must ensure that Celtic’s ambitions align with his own.

If the club can offer him a larger role and demonstrate a willingness to build a squad capable of competing on all fronts, remaining at Parkhead could be the perfect platform for the Super Eagles striker to extend his reign in Scotland.