Boluwatife Kehinde
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says he is optimistic about helping Kelechi Iheanacho return to his best form following the striker’s move to Parkhead earlier this month.
Rodgers and Iheanacho are no strangers to each other, having worked together during their time at Leicester City. Their reunion in Glasgow comes at a crucial moment for the Nigerian forward, who is eager to revive his career after a difficult spell.
Iheanacho’s 2024/25 campaign was far from smooth. He struggled for consistency at Sevilla, before moving to Middlesbrough where he also failed to leave a lasting impression. Those setbacks left many doubting whether the 28-year-old could still deliver at the highest level.
However, the striker has made a bright start to life in Scotland. He wasted no time opening his account for the Hoops, scoring on his debut against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park last week. He followed that up with a clever assist in the club’s Premier Sports Cup win over Thistle on Sunday afternoon, showing early signs that he can be a key attacking threat.
Rodgers, who guided Celtic to Scottish Premiership glory last season, believes that the environment at the club will give Iheanacho the platform to flourish again.
“Okay, the last 18 months for him has maybe not gone how he would want, but we’re hoping that by coming here, coming to a club, a special club like Celtic, we can get him firing again,” the Northern Irishman told BBC Radio Scotland.
The Celtic boss is no stranger to revitalising careers, having helped several players rediscover their confidence under his management in previous spells. With Iheanacho eager to prove his doubters wrong and Celtic pushing for another successful season domestically and in Europe, both parties are hopeful the partnership will yield success.
For Iheanacho, the move represents a fresh start at a club renowned for its passionate supporters and winning tradition. For Rodgers, it is another chance to unlock the potential of a player he knows well. If the early signs are anything to go by, the Hoops may have found themselves a rejuvenated forward ready to make his mark.
