KELECHI IHEANACHO has scored a stoppage-time penalty-kick winner, been hailed by the fans as an instant hero and been booked in his 25 minutes of action for Celtic.
It was a whirlwind welcome to his career at the champions at Rugby Park on Sunday for the Nigerian international striker who joined the club on UEFA deadline day after being freed by Sevilla.
Now Iheanacho has had time to draw breath, he looks ahead with outstanding positivity and says defiantly: “I think it will be a great season. I am looking forward to it.”
It was a delayed second-time-around experience for the frontman who celebrates turning 29 in 17 days’ time.
AIR WE GO…Kelechi Iheanacho leaps high in celebration after his late penalty-kick winner over Kilmarnock with Colby Donovan and Benjamin Nygren adding their congratulations.
He has reunited with his former Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers, but they could have had the reunion back in January when there were moves to bring him to Parkhead on loan.
However, the switch did not materialise and, instead, the experienced frontman pitched up at Championship side Middlesbrough. He scored one goal in 15 appearances and was returned to the La Liga club in the summer.
Now Iheanacho has teamed up again with Rodgers on a one-year deal with the club holding the option of another 12 months.
Quizzed on the collapsed shift to the east end of Glasgow at the beginning of the year after Kyogo Furuhashi had moved to Rennes, the former Manchester City ace fired back: “We don’t need to talk about that now!
“We can just put that aside and move on for the future. Of course, I always wanted to come to Celtic.
“It’s a massive club and I know the manager. It didn’t work at that time, but now I think it’s the right time.
“If you watch the team, you know that there’s a lot of qualities and a lot of great players, as well.
HEAVEN’S ABOVE…Kelechi Iheanacho takes a brief moment of contemplation.
“Getting to know the boys, getting to train with them a lot and trying to connect with them, I’ve learned a lot in the last few days.
“I think it will be a great season. I am looking forward to it. It’s a good start now and, hopefully, there will be a lot in the future.”
Iheanacho displayed some encouraging signs during his cameo appearance against Kilmarnock, especially when you consider it was his first taste of competitive football since May.
Six minutes into stoppage-time, the Hoops were awarded a spot-kick following referee John Beaton’s decision after checking a handball incident on the VAR touchline monitor.
With Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels not on the pitch, Benjamin Nygren was ready to step up to take the kick, but Rodgers opted for Iheanacho in a highly-pressurised situation.
The attack-leader, speaking to the Scottish Sun, continued: “I’ve worked with the manager over the years and I’ve taken decisive penalties for him.
“He knows me, too, knows I am good on the spot, so he has really big confidence in me.”
THAT’S MY BHOY…Brendan Rodgers with Kelechi Iheanacho after the dramatic finale.
The new Bhoy thumped an unerring drive high past the sprawling Max Stryjek for the victory that put the champions in pole position in the Premiership, albeit on goal difference from Hearts.
Iheanacho was mobbed by the joyous visiting support to earn a yellow card from Beaton, but the forward was unrepentant afterwards.
He added: “This is the moment that you have to celebrate with the fans because it’s a massive win and three points. It deserved to be celebrated.
“Everyone was happy and I could see how happy the fans were and how they felt when they jumped on the pitch.”
The second instalment of the last, late Iheanacho show is scheduled for Firhill on Sunday when Celtic face Partick Thistle in an intriguing Premier Sports League Cup encounter.
