It has been a deeply frustrating season for Kelechi Iheanacho, but the forward once again came off the bench to make a game-changing impact for Celtic.
Iheanacho’s much-craved finishing ability was on full display, prompting high praise from Neil Lennon on Premier Sports commentary duty, who was amazed by the striker’s unique mechanics.
“You very rarely see that in a footballer,” Lennon noted, marvelling at the Nigerian’s striking style following his second goal against St Mirren in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
“But he gets so much power from the side foot.”
Iheanacho’s quality inside the penalty box proves he is the ultimate answer to Celtic’s lingering and frustrating striker problems.
The major issue, however, remains his physical readiness after he signed for the champions of Scotland as a free transfer in the summer, and has encountered several injury issues this term.
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Kelechi Iheanacho’s striking ability after brace for Celtic in Scottish Cup semi-final
The fact that Martin O’Neill has opted against starting Iheanacho speaks volumes about his current fitness levels and ability to play, probably not 90 minutes, but just 70 minutes.
It begs a major question: Does O’Neill take a calculated risk and finally unleash him from the start against Falkirk this weekend? It’s now or never because the title-defining post-split fixtures are upon us.
Either way, considering this is a player who wowed at Manchester City as a youngster under Pep Guardiola, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that he possesses such elite, natural technique inside the penalty area.
But it’s not just his lethal finishing that transforms Celtic. It’s also his hold-up play.
The Hoops have struggled all over the shop this campaign, but when Iheanacho is on the pitch, his ability to retain the ball instantly pushes everyone further up the pitch.
He makes the entire team far more dangerous, crucially allowing teammates like Benjamin Nygren to do what they do best: Make those devastating late runs into the box. Score goals. And more goals.
Alan Hutton: “Iheanacho, when he gets that little yard of space. He doesn’t need much. There isn’t much back lift (second goal), and he gets good power on it. It’s a really different technique, isn’t it?!
Lennon: “I mean, yeah. You very rarely see that in a footballer. But he gets so much power from the side foot.”
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