Iheanacho: Celtic could hand Super Eagles forward new contract for three key reasons

Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho could be set for a longer stay at Scottish champions Celtic amid growing uncertainty over his future, Afrik-Foot reports.

The former Leicester City striker joined the Hoops on a free transfer last summer after a difficult spell at Sevilla in Spain. He had arrived at the Spanish club in the summer of 2024, but spent the second half of the season on loan at Middlesbrough in the English Championship after struggling to settle.

Iheanacho made a bright start at Celtic, but his progress was disrupted by injuries during a stop-start campaign. At one stage, it appeared unlikely he would be offered a contract extension, with the club considering moving on due to his fitness issues.

However, the 29-year-old eventually returned to fitness and rediscovered his scoring form, netting several crucial goals that helped Celtic secure both the league title and domestic cup double.

His resurgence late in the season has reopened discussions over a possible extension, with Celtic holding an option to extend his deal by a further year and several key factors could now influence that decision.

Daizen Maeda’s future could shape Iheanacho’s role

Japanese forward Daizen Maeda has been Celtic’s first-choice centre forward since joining the club in 2022, playing a major role ahead of other forwards in the team.

However, the 28-year-old may have already played his final game for the club after expressing a desire to move to the Premier League this summer.

During an interview after Celtic’s Cup win last month, he revealed how he was keen on trying a new challenge after four years in Scotland, putting the likes of Fulham and other clubs on high alert.

“Right now, I’m grateful to Celtic and I’m giving it my all. But I haven’t seen my limits yet”, Maeda had revealed.

“The Premier League is a dream I’ve had since I was a kid. Even if it’s just for one year, I want to prove myself at the highest level.”

If Maeda leaves, Celtic would be left short of attacking options. Even if the club brings in reinforcements, they may not be willing to lose another experienced forward in the same window and that situation could strongly favour Iheanacho staying beyond the summer.

It could also open the door for a more consistent role next season, especially if a new signing is brought in to learn from his experience.

Martin O’Neill’s permanent role

Veteran manager Martin O’Neill, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 and 2005, initially returned on an interim role after Brendan Rodgers’ resignation last October.

He was called upon to step in again after Wilfried Nancy was dismissed and eventually guided the club to league and cup success last season. O’Neill has now agreed to continue as the club’s permanent manager, which could also directly impact Iheanacho’s future. 

The Northern Irishman has previously expressed admiration for the Nigerian forward and his backing could prove decisive in pushing for an extension. 

Late-season form could also prove decisive 

Although Iheanacho struggled early in the season due to injuries and lack of match fitness, his performances in the final stretch improved his chances of an extension at the club.

He finished the campaign with nine goals across all competitions, although six of those came in the final nine matches of the season. His late surge included decisive contributions, including a brace in the 6–2 win over St Mirren in the Scottish Cup semifinal, as well as another solo goal in the final win over Dunfermline Athletic.

What made his impact even more notable was that many of his goals came off the bench, while he did not have a proper pre-season with the club, as he only joined them at the start of the season. With a full pre-season behind him, there is a major belief he could deliver even more next season.

While Iheanacho is open to extending his stay, a final decision on his future is yet to be made, as Celtic hold the call to decide whether to continue their relationship with the Nigerian forward beyond this summer.