KELECHI IHEANACHO is hoping Rugby Park on Sunday will provide the venue for a second dream come true.
The Nigerian international striker made his Celtic debut on the Ayrshire ground on September 14 following his beat-the-UEFA-deadline signing after being freed by Sevilla.
Iheanacho had replaced Daizen Maeda in the 71st minute against Kilmarnock and the game was stalemated at 1-1 six minutes into stoppage-time when referee John Beaton awarded the champions a dramatic penalty-kick after VAR stepped in to order a review of defender Lewis Mayo blocking a James Forrest drive.
After checking on the touchline monitor, the match official returned to the pitch to point to the spot and the new Bhoy volunteered to accept the responsibility.
LIFT-OFF…Kelechi Iheanacho takes to the air as he celebrates his late penalty-kick winner against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on his debut in September. Benjamin Nygren and Colby Donovan join in.
Skipper Callum McGregor handed the ball to Iheanacho and the former Manchester City and Leicester City hitman thrashed the winner high into the net.
The 29-year-old has struggled with hamstring problems since arriving in Glasgow and has been restricted to 10 appearances with other goals coming in a 1-1 draw with Red Star in Belgrade in the UEFA Cup and a 3-2 Premiership victory over Motherwell at Parkhead.
Iheanacho has not been seen since limping off in the 34th minute of the 3-1 nosedive against St Mirren in the Premier Sports League Cup on December 14, new boss Wilfried Nancy’s third successive loss. Five games later, the Frenchman was history.
The one-time £25million marksman has missed six games in a row while Martin O’Neill has yet to be afforded the opportunity of handing a start to the experienced striker.
There is no place for Iheanacho in tonight’s matchday squad for the Premiership encounter at Falkirk, but there is an opportunity he could get the opportunity to impress the interim gaffer when the Hoops take on non-League Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup on Sunday.
ENDGAME…Kelechi Iheanacho on the ball against St Mirren in the Premier Sports League Cup Final at Hampden last month before injury struck.
The intriguing tie has, of course, been switched to Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park for practical reasons.
Weighing up the situation, O’Neill, speaking to The Herald, said: “Kelechi is back on the grass and pretty close now, but not fit for Falkirk.
“We need him in that sense. He’s an experienced player who has played at the top level. He’s had a frustrating time since coming here.
“He’s had his setbacks, but we need him fully fit.”
A return to action and a goal or two at the weekend would seal the venue as being a happy hunting ground for the frontman.
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