Kelechi Iheanacho backed for Super Eagles return following St. Mirren double

Super Eagles and Celtic striker Kelechi Iheanacho made headlines yesterday evening after scoring a brilliant double against St. Mirren in the semi-final of the Scottish FA Cup, Afrik Foot reports.

The 29-year-old came off the bench in the 83rd minute and quickly inspired the Hoops to a scintillating win, drawing praise from former Real Madrid B midfielder Mutiu Adepoju.

Iheanacho was shocked when he wasn’t given the Man of the Match Award at Hampden Park, but was more than glad to pass it to teammate Daizen Maeda.

Adepoju backs Iheanacho for Super Eagles return

Quizzed about the upturn in form recently shown by the former Manchester City striker, Adepoju opined that Iheanacho has always had the ability.

“Kelechi has always been a very good player and a good scorer who has done very well over the years,” the 55-year-old said in an interview with Footy Africa.

“Unfortunately, these past few years he has not been finding it easy and all that. I’m happy that he is coming back and he is doing very well in Celtic. I just believe he will be able to sustain that and continue.”

“Comparing La Liga and the Scottish Premiership, they are two different countries, two different leagues.

“Yes, La Liga is popular and strong, but I believe it’s not that easy playing in the Scottish league as well. There are other good teams in the league; I believe they are strong too,” the former Real Sociedad midfielder concluded.

With Paul Onuachu and Victor Osimhen in top goalscoring form, the AFCON 1994 winner believes Kelechi Iheanacho still has the quality to become a mainstay in Eric Chelle’s team.

“Experience matters, and if he is doing very well and I believe if the handlers of the national team see and find him worthy, then he can still come back.

“I believe he has that ability to come back to the team,” Mutiu Adepoju concluded.

Kelechi Iheanacho was a part of the Super Eagles squad that won the 2025 Unity Cup at the Gtech Community Stadium, and will be looking to get another call up to the 2026 edition next month.