KELECHI IHEANACHO, Celtic’s free transfer arrival on UEFA deadline day, could turn out to be “a cracking signing” for Brendan Rodgers.
That’s the view of former goal hero Chris Sutton who had a similar start to his Hoops career after sealing his £6million switch from Chelsea in the summer of 2000.
The one-time England international hitman was Martin O’Neill’s first recruit for the Parkhead club and was pitched in for a quickfire baptism in a tough league opener at Tannadice.
Sutton immediately responded with the winning goal in a rousing 2-1 triumph.
Iheanacho had a similar impact on his first outing in an identical scoreline over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park last weekend.
AIR WE GO…Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates after hitting his matchwinning penalty-kick against Kilmarnock as Colby Donovan and Benjamin Nygren race to join in.
The former Manchester City, Leicester City and Sevilla forward volunteered for the stoppage-time spot-kick and thrashed the points-clincher behind the sprawling Max Stryjek.
Sutton said: “The penalty was a huge moment for him. It takes a top player to score for Celtic on their debut…
“I don’t think you can draw too many comparisons between myself and Iheanacho as our circumstances were different.
“But I hope he has come in to the club with the same attitude I had, to prove people wrong.
“I got up and running on my debut with the winner at Dundee United – and the 6-2 derby game a few weeks later certainly helped me get going.
“I did get sent off on my home debut against Motherwell in between, but that was another ridiculous decision, in all honesty.
“I’d come off the back of a difficult season at Chelsea while Iheanacho’s career has been on a downward trajectory for a couple of years. We know the circumstances of his arrival and how he wasn’t first choice.
HEADMASTER…Daizen Maeda nets with a flying effort for the opener at Rugby Park.
“But those scenes last week might just light a fire under him and he could turn out to be a cracking signing.
“It’s up to him, but Brendan Rodgers will believe he can get the best out of him.”
Sutton also ponders the way ahead for last season’s 33-goal man Daizen Maeda.
The media pundit, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Where is the best position to utilise him?
“He might be needed through the middle for now until Iheanacho gets up to speed, but could he end up being used more on the right wing, with Sebastian Tounekti on the left?
“It’s certainly an option.”
Looking at some of the new Bhoys, Sutton added: “Tounekti could not have made a better debut at Rugby Park.
WIDE BHOY…Sebastian Tounekti made a great first impression.
“He was superb. It was just refreshing to see a player so direct, so confident, so willing to take on his man.
“His final ball could be sharpened up, but it made a huge difference having that attacking option down the left, committing defenders and causing chaos at the byline and in the box.
“It would be daft to go overboard after just one game – and likewise on the other flank with Michel-Ange Balikwisha. It’s fair to say it’s been a more of a low key start.
“Listen, it’s only been two games, so I’m not going to write him off. Nicholas Kuhn didn’t exactly get off to flyer at Celtic and look how he turned out.
WAIT FOR IT…Michel-Ange Balikwisha has had a false start after his £4.5million arrival.
“Similarly, Marcelo Saracchi looks a neat and tidy addition – and it will take some of the stress off Kieran Tierney.
“There’s still a lot I don’t understand around the Tierney situation and I get why people are wondering what’s going on around not managing to play 90 minutes yet. “You’ve got to say he’s not yet an upgrade on Greg Taylor, but I still think he’ll come good and become an excellent signing.
“Saracchi is a safe bet to back him up but if he’s going to be needed to play on the right – especially in Europe – then Tierney is going to have to play full matches sooner rather than later.”
The fans’ favourite, who returned to the champions in the summer from Arsenal after a six-year absence, is likely to start at No.3 in the Premier Sports League Cup quarter-final against Partick Thistle at Firhill tomorrow afternoon.
Tierney made his appearance as a 58th-minute substitute for the Uruguayan on Killie’s plastic pitch, but should get the nod to start against Mark Wilson’s Championship outfit on this occasion.
