Kelechi Iheanacho: Two reasons Celtic are set for contract U-turn for Super Eagles striker

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has publicly confirmed his desire to hand Kelechi Iheanacho a new contract, bringing an end to weeks of agonising silence from the Scottish champions, Afrik Foot reports.

The 29-year-old has been a free agent since his Celtic deal expired on June 30, with the club’s option to extend the contract lapsing without a clear intent.

That action prompted sharp criticism from supporters, former players and analysts, including Charlie Mulgrew, who described keeping Iheanacho as a “no-brainer”.

Turkish clubs have tempted the former Manchester City striker with concrete offers, and a brief flirtation with Brazilian side Vasco da Gama came and went without agreement. Yet throughout the uncertainty, Iheanacho’s preference has always been Celtic.

Celtic coach prepared to hand Kelechi Iheanacho new deal

Martin O’Neill, in preparation for Celtic’s pre-season camp, has admitted that a new deal for the Super Eagles striker is being considered.

“I’d like to do something with him. That’s the point. Of course, if we can do something relatively quickly, at least he then gets started in pre-season, which is really important for him,” the 74-year-old said in quotes revealed by Celts are here.

“It’s something he didn’t have last year. After about three minutes, he was injured against Sturm Graz and he then hurt himself in the League Cup Final as well.

“So that would be nice. I’m definitely pursuing that at this minute.”

Two reasons Celtic are set for a contract U-turn

The first reason is O’Neill’s advocacy and the weight that it carries at a club where the manager has the authority to shape the squad in his own image.

O’Neill was clear about the contribution Iheanacho made to last season’s domestic double, and his desire to keep the striker is not based on sentiment alone but on a tactical understanding of what the Nigerian provides.

Six goals in nine substitute appearances during the title run-in, a brace in the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren, and a goal in the cup final against Dunfermline were contributions that won Celtic silverware at moments when the pressure was highest.

O’Neill knows better than anyone that those performances are not replicable on demand from the open market, and his comments on pursuing a new deal signal that a new deal might be agreed on sooner, rather than later.

The fitness concern O’Neill raised is also telling. He acknowledged that Iheanacho needs a proper pre-season, something he didn’t get last summer, leading to multiple hamstring tears. The concern, though, hints that the former Nottingham Forest coach is mapping out how he plans to use the striker differently in the coming campaign.

O’Neill wants to get Iheanacho fit, sharp and integrated from day one rather than later in the summer.

Celtic’s competitive campaign begins in late July with European qualifiers, and a striker without a club and training alone in Nigeria is losing crucial preparation time as long as he’s without a contract.

Turkish clubs have already submitted concrete offers to Iheanacho’s camp, and while the striker has prioritised Celtic throughout, his patience is finite, and the longer the club delays, the sooner it’ll run out.