Martin O’Neill admitted he never doubted Kelechi Iheanacho would handle the pressure after the striker fired Celtic to a dramatic victory over Motherwell on Wednesday night.
With the match deep into stoppage time at Fir Park, Iheanacho stepped up to convert a crucial penalty and secure a thrilling 3-2 win, keeping Celtic’s title hopes firmly alive heading into the final day of the season.
Reflecting on the moment after the match, O’Neill revealed he was confident the Nigerian forward would deliver despite the enormous pressure surrounding the kick.
“Do you know what, this is honestly, it’s easy for me to say this now, penalty taking is still very, very difficult under the circumstances. But do you know what, I actually fancied him,” the Celtic manager said via The Herald.
“He’s on a bit of a mission at this minute. He’s done great for us in these little cameo roles that he’s playing. He’s been a big, big part of proceedings in the last number of weeks.
“He’s had a really frustrating time, obviously with hamstring problems, but he’s there for us. He wants to win.”
O’Neill also revealed that there had been two players prepared to take the decisive spot-kick, with first-team coach Gavin Strachan informing him that either Iheanacho or Arne Engels would assume responsibility.
“When Gavin [Strachan, first-team coach] said to me it was either him or Arne to take it, I really didn’t mind,” he explained.
“But when it came to the point, I was pleased that he wanted to take it because it’s the most important thing. Actually, I did watch it, believe it or not. I did, I saw it going into the corner. I probably didn’t really want to watch it.
“So it takes us to the finale, whatever comes or goes, at least we’ve gone to the end, which looked a million miles off.”
Celtic now head into Saturday’s showdown with Hearts knowing only a victory will be enough to secure the Scottish Premiership title.
Conor Spence
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