KELECHI IHEANACHO can make Paradise “a special home” – if he is prepared to work.
And Daizen Maeda will put any disappointment of the collapse of a big-money move behind him and continue to give everything for Celtic.
That’s the double prediction from former Hoops keeper Joe Hart who was in Glasgow yesterday for the Celtic Legends versus their Manchester United counterparts charity game which the hosts won 4-3 on penalty-kicks after a 2-2 draw, as CQN reported.
Hart’s former Manchester City team-mate Iheanacho arrived at the champions on UEFA deadline day after being freed by Sevilla.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Kelechi Iheanacho and Brendan Rodgers in their Leicester City days.
The 28-year-old striker has had a frustrating time recently and spent the second half of last season on loan at Middlesbrough where he scored one goal in 15 appearances.
Now the Nigerian international, who has been named in Brendan Rodgers’ Europa League squad, has been given the opportunity to return to the big stage.
Hart said: “We’ve all had disappointing 12 months in our careers.
“But those 12 months don’t define you, it’s the previous work he’s put in.
“There’s a player in him and, as much as Celtic want to bring in young talent from around the world and nurse them, develop them and then sell them for great profit, there’s also room for people such as Kelechi.
“It’s just if he wants to be in the room, whether he wants to put it in.
“So, if he can bring that to the table then he can find himself a special home when he’s been a bit lost for a couple of months.”
ON THE RUN…Daizen Maeda speeds away from Ibrox midfielder Mo Diomande.
Hart also looked at the situation concerning Maeda after last season’s 33-goal top scorer and multiple Player of the Year award winner had revealed the Hoops blocked a move on the last day of the transfer window.
The 38-year-old former England international keeper, speaking to the Scottish Sun, added: “Daizen is one of the most matter-of-fact people I’ve ever met.
“He comes in to do business, whichever shirt he represents.
“Now that the window’s closed, whatever’s gone on, I don’t know.
