MARTIN O’NEILL admits he has questions surrounding Kelechi Iheanacho.
The Celtic interim boss is preparing his squad for the crucial Premiership encounter against St Mirren at Parkhead this afternoon – and faces a dilemma over the Nigerian international striker.
O’Neill started with Iheanacho as attack leader against Dundee United at Tannadice and saw the former Manchester City and Leicester City hitman fire blanks in the dismal 2-0 loss.
Iheanacho replaced the misfiring Tomas Cvancara when the score was 1-1 against Dundee at Dens Park last weekend.
And the experienced marksman lashed in the points-clincher in the 82nd minute to underline his penalty box prowess.
TRIUMPHANT ON TAYSIDE…Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates his late winner against Dundee.
It was only Iheanacho’s fourth goal since joining the champions after being released by Sevilla in September.
O’Neill admits he WILL play against the Paisley club today – but doesn’t know if he will be on for kick-off or be utilised from the bench.
The Irishman said: “You saw him last Sunday. He was up kicking every ball, desperate to get on. When he did, he made an impact, which is great.
“He is fired up. I said to him, at 29 he should be at the peak of his career. He tells me he is at the peak of his career, which is a bit of a concern for me.
“He’s got a lot of natural ability. You can see it in training. He’s terrific, you can see why he’s been a player at a club like Manchester City.
“He’ll be on the pitch at some stage and he’s earned it. However, it’s something we’re not sure about because there’s a decent chance he wouldn’t last the game.
“If he stays fit between now and the end of the season, we’ll need him.”
O’Neill is hardly spoiled for choice when he searches through his squad for a reliable centre-forward.
After scoring 33 goals last season, Daizen Maeda has claimed only one in 2026 while Junior Adamu has also netted one – the timely late Scottish Cup equaliser against Dundee – since his January loan arrival.
Tomas Cvancara, who also joined on a temporary transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach at the turn of the year, has collected two – one from the penalty spot – and blew the opportunity of a hat-trick against Steven Pressley’s club last week.
DENS PARK DESPAIR…Tomas Cvancara fluffs his lines with just Dundee keeper Jon McCracken to beat.
Discussing the towering forward, O’Neill, speaking to the Glasgow Times, continued: “Eventually, centre-forwards have to live and die by the number of goals they score.
“Tomas missed two or three chances, one he would have scored if he was full of confidence. I think a few weeks earlier, he would have taken them.
“He was unlucky with one that hit the post, the one after half-time was the one that looked a lack of confidence with the touch that got away from him.”
The Hoops gaffer added: “I wouldn’t say Iheanacho is an overconfident player, but he knows how to deal with the ball.
“A goal might spark Tomas Cvancara in that sense.
“There were parts of his game I was pleased about. Even though he’s not an out-and-out centre-forward, we’ve been playing him in that position, and he’s attempted to get hold of the ball like Iheanacho can do.”
So, will we see Iheanacho in the start against the Saints? Or will he be unleashed at some stage from the stand-by squad?
Over to you, Martin.
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