Kelechi Iheanacho is ready to make up for lost time at Celtic after finally getting his move to Parkhead – seven months on from a failed loan deal, reports scotsman.com.
Iheanacho signed for Celtic two weeks ago on a free after agreeing to a termination of his contract with Spanish La Liga side Sevilla. However, he came very close to moving to Glasgow back in early February, only for a potential loan move to fall through. He eventually joined Middlesbrough in the English Championship.
The Nigerian international showed a glimpse of what he can bring to Celtic this season by holding his nerve to convert a 96th-minute penalty away at Kilmarnock on his debut to clinch a 2-1 win. His goal sparked jubilant scenes in the away end as he went into the Chadwick Stand to embrace the fans.
Iheanacho worked with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers previously at Leicester City, and the 28-year-old forward is delighted to link up with his boss once again.
“We don’t need to talk about that now,” Iheanacho said when asked about what happened in the winter. “We just need to put that aside and move on to the future. Of course, I always wanted to come to Celtic. It’s a massive club, and obviously, I know the manager as well. It didn’t work at that time, but now I think it’s the right time.
“He (Rodgers) knows me really well, and he can bring the best out of me as well. I think coming here is really good for me as well, to play under him, to play in this great club. I’ll give my best for the club.”
Iheanacho revelled in leaving a positive first impression with the Celtic support. He had only been on the pitch for 25 minutes when the visitors won a last-gasp penalty at Rugby Park, and the ex-Man City man knew the importance of converting it.
“It was a massive feeling,” continued Iheanacho. “Everyone was happy, and I could see how happy the fans were and how they felt when they jumped on the pitch. It was a massive win.
“The captain (Callum McGregor) asked if I wanted to take it, and I said, ‘Yes’. So, he said I could take it. This is the moment that you have to celebrate with the fans because it’s a massive win, a massive three points. I thought it deserved to be celebrated.
“It’s massive, really massive, for me. It’s a great opportunity for me here to come to this club and try to make that impact. Going forward, I think it will give me the confidence to show my quality for the club.”
Iheanacho was quick to dispel any doubts over his match fitness. He has not completed 90 minutes since the end of March and has been written off in some quarters after falling out of the first-team picture at Sevilla.
