WITH A LITTLE bit of good fortune, Kelechi Iheanacho could have settled the destination of the title and saved us all the controversy of the aftermath that dominated the day the champions sealed a record 56th crown.
The Nigerian international striker had been introduced by Martin O’Neill as a replacement for Sebastian Tounekti at the start of the second-half with the scoreline tied at 1-1 with Hearts in the silverware showdown at Parkhead on Saturday.
At that stage, the championship was heading for Tynecastle.
There can be little doubt Iheanacho played a pivotal role in the trophy altering course to remain in Paradise for the fifth successive season.
Daizen Maeda was freed from leading the attack while the former Manchester City and Leicester City hitman accepted the responsibility.
OH NO…Kelechi Iheanacho holds his head after watching his shot hit the Hearts post.
And only the woodwork denied Iheanacho a 79th-minute goal that may well have settled the encounter.
Accepting a pass from Callum McGregor, the experienced forward neatly sidestepped a defender, allowed the ball to run to his favoured left foot and then lashed an 18-yard drive at goal.
Keeper Alexander Schwolow was helpless, but, unfortunately, Iheanacho’s precision was just a shade out and his effort thudded off the base of the right-hand post and rebounded to safety.
Thankfully, goals from Maeda and Callum Osmand clinched the flag in the fading moments of a rollercoaster encounter.
The Hoops hierarchy are being urged to offer Iheanacho a permanent contract as the deal he signed in September after being released by Sevilla is due to expire next month.
Celtic have the option of another 12 months on the 29-year-old frontman’s terms and his happy knack of scoring late winners has impressed the fans. And no wonder.
KNOCK ON WOOD…Kelechi Iheanacho (extreme right) sees his drive leave Hearts keeper Alexander Schwolow helpless before hitting the right-hand post.
Iheanacho, who started just four games in his 15 appearances, was the man with the final say in games against Kilmarnock (2-1), Dundee (2-1), Hibs (2-1) and Motherwell (3-2) to keep the team on course for a championship that at one stage looked highly unlikely.
However, former Hoops midfielder Stiliyan Petrov doesn’t share the support’s enthusiasm and doesn’t believe the player “is the answer” in the long-term of Scotland’s title kings.
The one-time Bulgarian international skipper insisted: “You need a striker who can compete all season, who is fit all season, who is ready, who is mobile.
“You know what? He’s done so well, but, for me, with what Celtic stands for, they have to go for something different.
“Something more powerful. Speed. Mobility. That’s the way it is, unfortunately, at a big club.
JUST CHAMPION…Kelechi Iheanacho parades the newly-won Premiership silverware.
“You have to go with what you think is right for the club. For me, I don’t think Iheanacho is the answer for the future of the club.”
Petrov, though, hailed the efforts of jet-heeled Maeda who stood up to be counted as the campaign headed towards a thrilling crescendo.
The World Cup-bound Japanese ace fired in seven vital goals in the five games after the split as O’Neill’s side raced to consecutive wins on their way to their fourteenth title in 15 years.
Petrov, speaking in a report in The Scotsman, added: “Daizen Maeda, what a player, what a finish to the season.
“They needed someone to inspire Celtic with goals and performances and he has definitely done that.”
Celtic followers hope Iheanacho and Meada will have a major say in the club’s bid for a league and Cup double when they face Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline at Hampden on Saturday.
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