IT CREPT in with the merest whisper and went out with an almighty roar.
Celtic’s 2025/26 campaign will go down in the Hoops’ Hall of Fame as one of the most extraordinary in the club’s proud history.
Written off and dismissed, the Parkhead men simply refused to roll over – and completed an unforgettable crusade with a league and Cup double.
CQN continue our EXCLUSIVE series detailing the tale of how Martin O’Neill, who twice answered SOS calls from his old club, manoeuvred Celtic through a minefield to achieve the impossible dream of a fifth successive title.
Please enjoy!
EAR WE GO…Benjamin Nygren and returning hero Kieran Tierney celebrate one of the Swedish international midfielder’s 21 goals during his prolific Celtic debut campaign.
SEPTEMBER 2025
BRENDAN RODGERS and Celtic only had four fixtures in three different competitions to face in September.
The transfer window for the summer had closed and there were rumblings of discontent among the support about the lack of firepower and goal threat in the frontline.
Kyogo Furuhashi had never been properly replaced following his £10million move to Rennes at the beginning of the year while Nicolas Kuhn, scorer of 21 goals the previous term, had signed for Como in a £17.2million switch in July.
The German winger had arrived in a £3million deal from Rapid Vienna just 18 months earlier and Rodgers hailed the transfer as “a great bit of business” by the Hoops.
Benjamin Nygren joined in a £1.7million deal from Danish outfit Nordsjaelland and the Hoops fans had no idea what to expect from the Swedish international midfielder. They were to be happily surprised.
Adam Idah had sealed a permanent £9.5million move from Norwich City in August 2024 following his initial impressive six-month temporary deal which included the Scottish Cup winner against Rangers.
However, he failed to convince Rodgers just a year after the manager had labelled him “a priority signing” for the champions. As September was ushered in, the Republic of Ireland international powerhouse was on his way out, heading to second-tier Swansea City in a £6million move.
FIRING BLANKS…Japanese new Bhoy Shin Yamada is denied by keeper Jack Butland in the goalless draw at Ibrox in August.
Shin Yamada had been signed for £1.3million from Kawasaki Frontale in July and was tipped by many as the natural successor to his countryman Kyogo. Alas, it didn’t turn out like that.
There was also Johnny Kenny in the squad, but, despite a goal in the 3-0 win over Livingston at Parkhead the previous month, the young Irishman also failed to impress Rodgers.
In the search for a hero, Celtic turned their attention to Kelechi Iheanacho who had just had his contract terminated by Sevilla. The Nigerian international forward had worked with Rodgers before during their days at Leicester City and the pair reunited at Parkhead.
The 28-year-old one-time Manchester City star agreed a one-year deal with a 12-month option on September 2, deadline day for Europa League signings, and made his debut 12 days later.
Iheanacho couldn’t have scripted it better himself. Deep in stoppage-time, the Hoops were awarded a penalty-kick for handball as the scoreline stood at 1-1 with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
The new Bhoy accepted the responsibility – and dispatched an excellent effort high past keeper Max Stryjek into the net to clinch three points.
Amazingly, it was Iheanacho’s first goal since scoring while on loan at Middlesbrough in March and afterwards he smiled: “Hopefully, there’s more to come!”
HAIL, HAIL…Kelechi Iheanacho acknowledges the Celtic fans at time-up.
The experienced hitman added: “I think Kilmarnock defended really well, they know what we’re coming with. They were so compact.
“At the end we got a penalty and we won the three points, so it’s massive. To be fair, I asked the skipper to let me take it and he said it’s fine.
“It’s very, very important to make my mark on my debut.
“I’m really happy, it’s my first game, I’ve got my first goal, so, hopefully, there’s more to come.”
There was no such anxious conclusion a week later at Firhill as Celtic eased past Partick Thistle 4-0 in the Premier Sports League Cup, but Iheanacho again proved his penalty box prowess three days later with a strike in the 1-1 Europa League draw against Red Star in Belgrade.
However, the Hoops fired blanks in the stalemate with Hibs at Parkhead the following weekend and the loss of two more points saw the champions topple off the Premiership pinnacle, replaced by Hearts who racked up a 3-0 win over Falkirk.
Already, it was developing into a very interesting race for the title.
RESULTS
September 14:
Premiership:
Kilmarnock 1 CELTIC 2
Maeda, Iheanacho (pen)
September 21:
Premier Sports League Cup:
Partick Thistle 0 CELTIC 4
Yang, Scales, Tounekti, McCowan
September 24:
Europa League:
Red Star Belgrade 1 CELTIC 1
Iheanacho
September 27:
Premiership:
CELTIC 0 Hibs 0
* TOMORROW: Don’t miss Part Three of The Impossible Dream – only in your champion CQN.
