It’s no longer news that Nigerian international Kelechi Iheanacho has wasted no time in making his presence felt in the Scottish Premiership.
Fresh from scoring a dramatic injury-time winner on his Celtic debut, the Super Eagles forward has delivered a bold message: he is ready for the season and eager to lead the charge at Celtic Park.
Iheanacho Confirms: Ready for the Season
Speaking after the game, the Nigeria international stressed his fitness level and hunger to succeed in the Scottish Premiership.
“If you really watch the game, you can see I’m making runs to get the ball. I’m really fit; I’m ready to go for the season. Am I ready to play 90 minutes? Of course, you’ll see,” Iheanacho told Gazette Live UK.
The striker’s sharp movement and energy in his first outing suggest he is determined to silence doubters after a difficult spell in La Liga with Sevilla.
Iheanacho also noted that he is quickly settling into life at Celtic, crediting his new teammates for making the transition smooth.
“Getting to know the boys, getting to train with them a lot, I think I’ve learnt a lot in the last few days,” he said.
With plenty of competition for places, Iheanacho’s early confidence and commitment could be crucial for Celtic’s domestic and European campaigns.
Staying Strong Amid Criticism
The Nigerian forward also reflected on the criticism that comes with being a professional footballer.
“As a football player, you get this all the time [criticism],” he added.
“When it’s not going really well, you just need to be strong; you don’t need to lose your mind. It’s a professional game, so you need to just focus and keep doing the work. When it clicks, you just keep going and get there.”
However, when the topic of turning down Celtic in January came up, Iheanacho brushed it aside, stressing that the focus should now be on the future.
He made it clear that joining the Hoops had always been in his plans, describing Celtic as a massive club with a manager he already knew well.
While the move didn’t happen earlier in the year, he believes the timing is now perfect.
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