Ex-Aston Villa boss gives honest verdict after Super Eagles star ends 182-day goal drought

Manager Martin O’Neill has given an honest and measured assessment of Kelechi Iheanacho after the Super Eagles striker scored a crucial late winner to keep Celtic FC firmly in the Scottish Premiership title race, Afrik-Foot reports.

Iheanacho struck in the 82nd minute to seal a hard-fought 2-1 win over Dundee FC at Dens Park, ending a long, 182-day wait for a goal and reminding supporters of his quality in front of goal.

The forward came off the bench to replace Tomas Cvancara and made an instant impact. Showing strength and composure, he held off his marker before finishing expertly from a Marcelo Saracchi cross. It was his fourth goal of the season and his first since early October, a moment that could yet prove decisive in Celtic’s campaign.

Speaking after the match, former Aston Villa manager O’Neill admitted his Celtic side should have been out of sight earlier in the game but praised Iheanacho’s decisive contribution.

“I thought we should have been out of sight by half-time but we weren’t.

“Iheanacho came on and scored the goal which wins the game for us. Naturally, we’re delighted and we’re still in the picture.

“I know he’s had a frustrating time, but he’s been a really fine player in his career and he can find the net.”

The result keeps Celtic within three points of Heart of Midlothian, with six matches left to play, and O’Neill stressed just how important the victory was at this stage of the season.

“We played last and that is difficult. You’re trying not to think about what has happened either the previous day or a few hours earlier, but for us today we just had to win.

“There’s no room for error at all, and if we had dropped points today that would have been very difficult to fight back.”

Iheanacho: A late spark for the Super Eagles star

While Iheanacho’s winner was important for the title race, it was also a personal breakthrough after a deeply frustrating debut season in Scotland.

After joining Celtic on a free transfer from Sevilla in September 2025, the Nigerian forward started brightly but quickly saw his progress disrupted by injury problems. A serious hamstring issue struck just minutes into one of his early appearances, and when he returned, he aggravated the same injury during a cup final.

These setbacks kept him out for long periods and made it difficult for him to build rhythm or confidence. Over time, he found himself on the fringes of the squad, often unused or left out entirely during key months in February and March.

The numbers reflect that struggle. Across all competitions, Iheanacho has made just 16 appearances, scoring four goals in 652 minutes of football. In the Scottish Premiership alone, he has played only 318 minutes, scoring three goals.

Perhaps the most telling statistic before Sunday was his long goal drought, 182 days without scoring. For a striker known for his instinct and finishing ability, it was a difficult period that tested both his patience and belief.

Sunday’s goal may not erase the difficulties of the past few months, but it could mark a turning point. With the title race entering its final stretch, Celtic will need players who can deliver in big moments, and Iheanacho has just shown he can still be one of them.