Kelechi Iheanacho has hit the ground running as a Celtic striker.
The former Manchester City and Leicester marksman has already chipped in with a few goals but his time in Glasgow has been hampered with injury following his arrival in the summer.
Iheanacho, 29, left Sevilla on a free transfer on deadline day with his deal being terminated to allow him to seek a fresh challenge. And working under former boss Brendan Rodgers was his decision as Iheanacho moved to Scotland’s title holders to start a new chapter with the Hoops.
Iheanacho has already notched three strikes and provided an assist in eight appearances for his new club including a fine finish away from home in a 1-1 draw with Crvena Zvezda in Europa League action. However he has missed out on recent squads due to picking up a knock to his hamstring in October against Sturm Graz.
The Nigerian international was out of action when manager Rodgers opted to resign as Celtic boss and it was a shock decision from the Irishman who surprised both his squad as well as the fanbase. It came after a fallout between him and the hierarchy over his criticism of their lack of summer transfer business.
Kelechi Iheanacho released by Celtic rumour shut down
However, it was a move for the club which sparked plenty of speculation regarding the 52-year-old and the real reasons for his early departure as Celtic trailed title hopefuls Hearts in the Scottish Premiership table. But it also prompted other issues with the rumour mill flying.
One player who was at the centre of allegations from social media was Iheanacho. Interim manager Martin O’Neill had been asked about the forward’s fitness levels before his side took on Rangers in the recent Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden Park. The 73-year-old was coy on the point but admitted it was unlikely he would start.
That transpired to be the case and Iheanacho was not involved within the matchday squad at all. And that led to numerous accounts online circulating the rumour that the attacker had been released from his contract and would no longer be involved at Parkhead.
As would be expected, the club did not choose to address or ridicule any speculation. And that led to punters continuing to push the alleged narrative that it was possible the player could have had his contract ripped up over a “fallout” or other issue.
What Martin O’Neill said about Kelechi Iheanacho
Now, though, images have emerged from the club’s official pages before Thursday’s clash with Feyenoord in the Europa League of Iheanacho in training with the group as he continues his comeback from injury.
It meant every possible rumour was put to bed and that the striker is, instead, closing in on a return even if the action in the Netherlands may come slightly too soon for him.
O’Neill spoke on the player before the game and revealed the latest on his injury problems.
“Yeah, they’ve travelled,” O’Neill said. “We’ll see, it’s the amount of work that they haven’t really done that would be something that I would consider over the course of the next 24 hours. That would be great if we had that option. It’s something that we haven’t had so that would be a major plus.”
