Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has tipped Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho to grow into a key figure for the Scottish champions after the Nigerian made a memorable debut at Rugby Park last weekend.
Iheanacho, 28, joined Celtic on a free transfer after mutually parting ways with Sevilla in the summer. On Saturday, the former Manchester City and Leicester City forward came off the bench in the 70th minute, replacing Daizen Maeda, and held his nerve to convert a 96th-minute penalty that sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock.
Rodgers, who previously managed Iheanacho during his Leicester days, praised the striker’s character and predicted even better performances once he regains full fitness.
“There’s no doubt he’s got big moments in him. Once he gets fitter, he is only going to get better,” Rodgers said. “I know what he brings, the confidence he brings and what a goal would do for him. I was really pleased for him. The last penalty he took was for me at Wembley when we beat Man City in the Community Shield. He stuck that one away, and that was a big moment for him there, and for the supporters and everyone else. He had the confidence, which is great.”
The goal was Iheanacho’s first in competitive football for six months, following a frustrating spell with Sevilla and a loan stint at Middlesbrough last season.
His struggles also saw him miss Nigeria’s recent World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, but he is now keen to revive both his club and international career in Glasgow.
While Iheanacho’s Celtic journey is just beginning, fellow Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman is facing a turbulent spell in Italy. Despite being named in Atalanta’s Champions League squad, the 28-year-old has yet to feature in Serie A this season.
Head coach Ivan Juric has questioned the winger’s commitment, while director Luca Percassi echoed the same concern, stressing the club’s principles.
“We know how important Lookman is for Atalanta, but the club has some very basic principles, which need players who are ready to give 100 per cent for this jersey,” Percassi told DAZN Italia.
Lookman’s summer was overshadowed by a failed transfer to Inter Milan, which reportedly led him to go on strike. With the transfer window closed, he remains at Atalanta at least until January, though uncertainty lingers over his role.
Atalanta face PSG in their Champions League opener on Wednesday, with their travelling squad set to be announced today.
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