Snail-paced Celtic miss out on Kelechi Iheanacho and probably Marcelo Saracchi

Celtic allow Kelechi Iheanacho to slip through their fingers as the Nigerian international striker travels to Turkey to sign a three-year deal with Bursaspor…

Martin O’Neill talked about how Kelechi would always ask about Celtic taking up their one year option on his contract and he was clearly a player that the manager wanted to retain at the club.Michael Nicholson though allowed his contract to expire and with it the option but still Iheanacho waited for news from Celtic.

Earlier this week Martin O’Neill confirmed from Portugal that an offer had eventually been made to the striker who was so instrumental in Celtic’s league and cup double last season – a real difference maker.

The Celtic manager was confident that a deal would be signed to keep Kelechi at Celtic next season.

Then the minutes were made public from the surprise visit by Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson, Interim Chairman Brian Wilson and manager Martin O’Neill made to Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs in Cork on 4th July.

Michael Nicholson was asked about his transfer dealings and explained that it was difficult for Celtic to compete with Premier League and even Championship sides, it was hard to deal with agents and the mainstream media were out to get Celtic.

Yet it’s the Celtic fan media that the club banned.

The Celtic CEO did confirm that he was dealing with the easy stuff, getting out of contract players signed up and in that category most reasonably minded Celtic supporters would include Iheanacho and Uruguayan left back Marcelo Saracchi.

The Uruguayan left back was just like Iheanacho a hugely popular player at Celtic last season and remains keen to return to the club, with a modest transfer fee of £1.5m all that stands in the way. However Saracchi confirmed to a Celtic account that he has not heard anything from the club and has had no offer.

So the easy options that were the focus of Michael Nicholson’s attention at the start of the month consists of offering Iheanacho a deal that could be described as too little and way too late while his masterplan regarding bringing back Saracchi seems to be to do nothing at all and await a favourable development – all to save a few bob.

Remember Martin O’Neill – who this week admitted that he got no assurances regarding transfer expenditure from Dermot Desmond prior to agreeing to take the manager’s job – stated that he wanted both of the loan signing signed up. He’s now lost out on Iheanacho and Saracci will be wise to pay more attention to his alternative options rather than waiting for the phone to ring from Celtic’s CEO.

Football managers who fail inevetibly get sacked. Why is it so different for Celtic directors?

Here’s Nicholson’s remarks from the AICSC AGM on 4th July…

Time’s up Michael. You have got to go.

Kelechi Iheanacho to Bursaspor from Celtic & this announcement video is 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/s0xL65KYuo

— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) July 17, 2026

🟢⚪️ Bursaspor, son olarak Celtic forması giyen Kelechi Iheanacho ile 3 yıllık anlaşma sağladı.
(🔗Ertan Süzgün)

👨🏿‍🦲Yaş: 29 🏟 357 Maç
🇳🇬Uyruk: Nijerya ⚽ 102 Gol
🛡Mevki: Forvet 🎯 51 Asist pic.twitter.com/lrOBUuD368

— Transfer Postası (@TransferPostasi) July 17, 2026

🟢⚪️ Bursaspor, son olarak Celtic forması giyen Kelechi Iheanacho ile 3 yıllık anlaşma sağladı.
(🔗Ertan Süzgün)

👨🏿‍🦲Yaş: 29 🏟 357 Maç
🇳🇬Uyruk: Nijerya ⚽ 102 Gol
🛡Mevki: Forvet 🎯 51 Asist pic.twitter.com/lrOBUuD368

— Transfer Postası (@TransferPostasi) July 17, 2026

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