Celtic defender Alistair Johnston has hailed Kelechi Iheanacho following the striker’s decisive winner in the 2-1 victory over Hibernian at the weekend…
The Nigerian forward came off the bench to net the winning goal, continuing his impressive scoring streak with a fourth goal in four substitute appearances as Celtic strengthened their position in the title race.
After spending much of the campaign on the fringes of the squad, Iheanacho has recently become an increasingly influential figure under Martin O’Neill, delivering crucial moments in key matches.
Four goals in five games for Kelechi
Johnston, who made his comeback from injury during the contest, joked afterwards about the calmness shown by the forward in front of goal.
Reflecting on the finish post-match, Johnston said via Daily Record: “Kelechi’s heart rate, I don’t think ever gets above 60 beats per minute. How long he let that ball come down to his foot – it felt like time stopped. But that’s Kels.
“And again, that’s what that quality can bring. And that’s what we have in this squad. We’ve got players that have played at really high levels and have that kind of quality.
“So it’s amazing to be able to bring a player like that off the bench. Just cool, calm, composed.
“He’s a bit of an iceman. That was obviously a massive goal for us. There’s no beating around the bush with that.”
AJ relishing Sunday’s Glasgow Derby
Looking ahead to Sunday’s sixth and final Glasgow Derby of the season, Johnston said: “I feel like every derby’s been massive since I’ve been here.
“Even if it hasn’t been as important potentially in the league table. Look, we’re just taking it day by day, match by match. And I know that sounds cliche and I come up here and I say that every time I’m up here, but it really is what it is for us.
“We’re looking at it that: we’ve just got to go win whatever matches [are] ahead of us. At this point, three league matches left and a cup final.
“If we can go out there, win four matches, we’ll see what happens. That’s kind of where our mindset is. But we’re not being naive in terms of we know how big that match is.
“We know how much it’s going to mean for our supporters. We also know what it means in the league table. But that final match of the season is also going to be a massive one.”
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