A former Celtic striker has backed the club to deal in Kelechi Iheanacho for next season…
Rambos discusses the merits of Celtic retaining Kelechi Iheanacho
Alan McInally has been talking all things Celtic, and our ex-striker has thrown his weight behind the idea of the Hoops extending the Nigerian’s stay in Glasgow for the next campaign.
The 29-year-old was crucial in the end up, helping us get over the line with some impressive cameos towards the business end of the season just past.
Brought into the club just before the infamous parting of the ways between Celtic and Brendan Rodgers, the player, who won silverware down in England with his old boss, arrived somewhat undercooked in terms of fitness.
Persistent hamstring issues
In truth, Kelechi spent most of his campaign trying to regain full match fitness, which never really materialised due to his persistent hamstring issues, despite the flashes of quality shown in front of goal at times.
Many have now questioned whether Martin O’Neill will see the merit in giving the Nigerian star an extension on his current deal, after turning his own temporary stint into a permanent contract for one, if not possibly two years.
Keeping a fully fit Iheanacho is a ‘no-brainer’
McInally has now claimed that if Kelechi can play the way he did over the last few weeks of the season just gone, it would be a no-brainer.
“I would keep him,” big Rambo stated. “If he can perform the way he did in the last six games over the course of the season, then he’s obviously worth keeping,” the ex-Bayern Munich and Celtic star said, via The Herald.
The Big Question
“That’s the big question though,” he said curiously. “It’s about keeping him fit. I don’t know if he’s enjoying Glasgow too much – maybe Martin should put a tag on him! Joking aside, it would be interesting to see how he responds to a full pre-season. He clearly enjoys playing for Celtic. You can see that. And why wouldn’t he, playing in from of 60,000 every other week and competing for trophies?
Martin managed to get the best out of Iheanacho
“It’s up to him to have the discipline and the attitude to play week in, week out,” the former Aston Villa forward continued. “You could see how Martin managed to get the best out of Iheanacho in the last part of the season so he could do so again. The thing is, if he does go, he would need to be replaced. You look at his quality and his ability in front of goal, that doesn’t come easily,” McInally added assuredly.
A good insurance policy to have
An extension for Kelechi Iheanacho wouldn’t be the worst decision for the club to make. In fact, it would be a good insurance policy to have.
The club’s executive branch have shown time and time again that they cannot get deals over the line in an orderly fashion. The last thing we need is no strikers beside Callum Osmand on the books this summer, with another UEFA Champions League play-off match to contend with.
That’s not until August, I hear you say.
Do you know this Celtic Board? Is my response…
Paul Gillespie
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