Kelechi Iheanacho: Why Oshaniwa wants Celtic stay for Super Eagles striker

Former Super Eagles defender Juwon Oshaniwa has urged Celtic to conclude a new contract with Kelechi Iheanacho as quickly as possible, insisting the free agent striker deserves another season at Parkhead, Afrik Foot reports.

Iheanacho has been without a club since his Celtic contract expired on June 30, with the Scottish champions allowing their option to extend the deal to lapse.

However, things changed quickly when Coach Martin O’Neill publicly announced that he’s keen to get the club to offer a new deal to the former Manchester City striker.

Still, until ink hits paper, Iheanacho remains a free agent training alone in Nigeria, while maintaining his fitness.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s contract situation has drawn sharp reactions from Oshaniwa, who won 23 caps for the Super Eagles between 2012 and 2016, and revealed why a stay at Parkhead is best for the club and for the striker.

What Oshaniwa said about Kelechi Iheanacho’s Celtic future

Speaking in an interview with Brila, Oshaniwa revealed that what the 29-year-old did last season warrants a contract extension.

“When it comes to talent, Iheanacho is up there, and we cannot deny the fact that Celtic is a big team — season in season out they participate in the Champions League,” Oshaniwa said.

“For him to win the double with the team last season — he is already writing his chapter in the lore of Celtic legends,” he continued.

“So, if the club truly wants him to stay, why turn the offer down? Why turn down the chance to return to the Champions League with that team and they have a good Coach too.

“It will be wise if he stays back and enjoys the run with them for another season,” the former Hearts defender concluded.

Why Oshaniwa wants Celtic to keep Iheanacho

The former Super Eagles defender’s advocacy is built on what another year with the Hoops offers to the one-time FA Cup winner.

The Champions League argument is the most compelling. Turkish clubs have made concrete offers, and while the financial terms may be attractive, the Turkish Super Lig does not offer Iheanacho the platform that Celtic’s guaranteed European group stage participation does.

Champions League football, even as a substitute, even in a squad role, keeps a player on the biggest stage.

For Eric Chelle, watching his Super Eagles forward options ahead of AFCON 2027 qualifiers beginning in September, a striker performing in the Champions League carries a different weight of evidence than one accumulating goals in a less scrutinised environment.

The legacy point Oshaniwa raises is also important. Iheanacho has already won the double, already scored in a cup final, already become a cult hero at Parkhead in the space of a single, largely injury-disrupted season.

The chapter he has begun writing in Celtic’s history would be completed with a second season, one in which, as both O’Neill articulated, must include a full pre-season.

Celtic have a good coach, Champions League football, and a fanbase that wants him to stay. For Iheanacho, as Oshaniwa opined, the wise call is already obvious.