Should Celtic keep Kelechi Iheanacho? What O’Neill’s appointment means for the ex-Man City forward

Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho could be set for a U-turn at Celtic following the club’s decision to keep Martin O’Neill for another year, Afrik Foot reports

The Nigerian striker endured a stop-start debut campaign in Scotland, with recurring fitness concerns restricting him to just eight starts across all competitions.

Yet by the time the season concluded, the former Manchester City forward had transformed from a fringe option into one of the club’s most important players.

Iheanacho finished the campaign with nine goals and one assist in 24 appearances, including a decisive strike in Celtic’s Scottish Cup final victory over Dunfermline Athletic.

More importantly, many of those goals came during the title run-in, helping Celtic secure a domestic double in dramatic fashion.

With his initial one-year contract set to expire this summer, the Scottish champions now face a crucial decision over whether to activate the extension clause in his deal.

Why Iheanacho changed the narrative at Celtic

Numbers alone rarely tell the full story, but in Iheanacho’s case, there’s a compelling argument.

The 29-year-old averaged a goal every 99 minutes during the 2025/26 season, one of the best returns in Scottish football. His late winners against Dundee, Hibernian and Motherwell proved decisive in Celtic’s title charge, while his brace against St Mirren helped send the Hoops into the Scottish Cup final.

✍️ There is a lot to be said for a footballer who wants to be where they are. After winning the Scottish Cup, his goal sealing a 3-1 win over Dunfermline in the final, Kelechi Iheanacho nailed his colours to the mast.

"I love the supporters, I love them all," he said. "Everyone… pic.twitter.com/i9vWsnxExY

— The Celtic Way (@celticway1888) June 7, 2026

For much of the season, questions centred around his fitness, not his quality. Several Celtic fans remained unconvinced that Iheanacho was capable of consistently starting matches, especially after suffering two hamstring tears in five months, leading to his role as an impact substitute.

Yet whenever Celtic needed inspiration, the Nigerian frequently delivered.

His ability to hold up play, link attacks and produce moments of composure in high-pressure situations became increasingly valuable as the season progressed.

That combination of experience and end product is difficult to replace, particularly for a squad expected to compete on multiple fronts next season.

What O’Neill’s appointment could mean

Martin O’Neill’s renewal may prove significant for Iheanacho’s future. The veteran manager has already publicly acknowledged the striker’s quality while also identifying the one area that needs improvement.

According to the 74-year-old, a full pre-season could finally allow Iheanacho to overcome the fitness issues that plagued him in the just-concluded season, and that assessment is important.

Rather than viewing Iheanacho as a player in decline, O’Neill appears to see him as a footballer whose best form can still be unlocked under the right conditions.

The striker himself is equally invested. Following Celtic’s Scottish Cup triumph, Iheanacho openly expressed his desire to remain in Glasgow, praising both the supporters and the city while stating he hoped to stay for another season.

He also backed his words up with actions. Instead of fully immersing himself in post-season celebrations, Iheanacho travelled to Manchester for individual fitness work, demonstrating his determination to return in better condition ahead of the new campaign.

Should Celtic keep Iheanacho?

There are valid concerns. Celtic need greater availability from a striker approaching his 30th birthday. The club will also likely enter the market for another centre-forward this summer, especially with European football placing additional demands on the squad.

However, selling or releasing Iheanacho would create a different problem.

Finding a striker capable of delivering nearly a goal every game while accepting a rotational role is not easy. Finding one with Premier League experience, leadership qualities, and a proven ability to influence big matches is even harder.

The ideal scenario may be simple: activate the extension, ensure Iheanacho completes a full pre-season, and allow O’Neill to build on the momentum the Nigerian generated during the final months of the campaign.

Based on his impact when it mattered most, Celtic have every reason to believe another year could bring even greater rewards.