KELECHI IHEANACHO revealed he pleaded with Callum McGregor to be allowed to take Celtic’s late match winning penalty-kick in the dramatic 2-1 triumph over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
The Nigerian striker made an excellent job from the spot as he lashed an unstoppable drive high past the lunging Max Stryjek for the goal that puts the champions in pole position in the Premiership today – albeit on goal difference from revitalised Hearts.
One man who would not have been one bit surprised Iheanacho was eager to accept the responsibility was his former Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers.
The Hoops gaffer snapped up the 28-year-old frontman on UEFA deadline day just hours after the one-time £20million forward had been freed by Sevilla.
BY THE LEFT…Kelechi Iheanacho fires in the points-clinching penalty-kick.
With regular taker Daizen Maeda making way in a 71st-minute substitution for the new Bhoy, Rodgers suggested Iheanacho should take the award, but the player had already said he was eager to rise to the challenge he knew would be the Hoops’ last chance to win a tough encounter.
If there were any traces of nerves, the experienced attack-leader hid them well as he sunk his effort with seamless ease from 12 yards.
Rodgers said: “I was really pleased with Kels (Kelechi). It’s a big moment for him, with the supporters and everything else.
“We got the penalty, but he’s still got to score it – he did that and we took the win.
”There’s no doubt he’s got big moments in him and once he gets fitter, he’s only going to get better.
“Obviously, our penalty taker was off the pitch. I think Benji Nygren wanted the penalty and had the confidence, which is great.
ANSWER TO A PRAYER…Kelechi Iheanacho takes a brief moment after netting the winner.
“But my message was for Kels, I knew the confidence he brings and I also knew what a goal would do for him.
“I’m delighted for him and for the team, in particular, because it’s been a long couple of weeks and it’s a big win for us.”
With supporter unrest and the planned 12-minute boycott at the kick-off, Rodgers, in a Daily Record report, continued: “I spoke to the players at the hotel beforehand. I mentioned the importance of concentration.
“I talk a lot about the first five minutes with the team, but on this occasion it was about the first 12 minutes and what we needed to do in that period to manage the situation.
“We had to be really clear on the performance on the pitch, what it is we wanted, the speed and the tempo, and we knew we could control all these things in terms of pressing. Then, obviously, you need to go and play with that level of confidence.
THUMBS UP…a soaked but happy Brendan Rodgers at the end.
“There’s been a lot written and talked about, but, ultimately, if we get onto the pitch, we can control that.
“I’m just so pleased for them that they could get the win to get us going again on this next run of games.”
The Parkhead gaffer, who will now plan for Sunday’s Premier Sports League Cup encounter against Partick Thistle at Firhill, added: “That’s what this club is about, that feeling and that Celtic spirit that keeps you going right to the very end and obviously it paid off for us.
“I’m delighted for the players, first and foremost, because all eyes were on them.
“It’s a difficult surface, a difficult team to play against, but to come out and get the win and, as I said, get that feeling.
“I’ve been here often enough, like some of the senior players, to know the importance of a win like that, even early in the season.
“It sends everyone home happy on an awful day.”
IHEANACHO STARS IN THE LATE, LATE SHOW
