Brendan Rodgers debunks Kelechi Iheanacho fitness rumour and shares ‘the reality’ behind his Celtic move

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Kelechi Iheanacho has had a very good start to his Celtic career.

Brought in as a last minute signing by Brendan Rodgers after the transfer window closed, there was a lot of scepticism about Iheanacho’s move to Celtic.

The Nigerian has, so far, scored one and created one in his first two games since signing for Celtic and Rodgers is clearly delighted to have him as part of his squad.

But there were online rumours about the Celtic striker’s fitness circling after he moved to Parkhead and Rodgers has just superbly quashed them.

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Kelechi Iheanacho is ‘one of the leanest players’ at Celtic

Iheanacho got his first Celtic start against Thistle and Rodgers explains why he included him in the Premier Sports Cup lineup.

Rodgers told BBC Radio Scotland, “His actual fitness is really good. He’s one of the leanest players in our squad, but maybe the football fitness where he hasn’t maybe played as much.

“But what do I know is his talent. I worked with him for just over four years, so I know the ability that he has.

“And, okay, the last 18 months for him has maybe not gone how he would want, but we’re hoping that by coming to here, coming to a club, a special club like Celtic, can get him firing again.”

Brendan Rodgers shares ‘the reality’ of Kelechi Iheanacho’s move to Celtic

Whilst sceptics would argue that Iheanacho was a panic signing, Rodgers delivered ‘the reality’ behind the 28-year-old’s late summer move to Celtic.

Rodgers continued, “I know what he needs to work on and obviously that goal last week will do him the world of good.

“But the reality is, if he was still at the level of which he can play at, he wouldn’t be at Celtic. That’s the reality.

“But he’s just had that dip for the last 18 months, couple of years. But he’s still young. So can we reinvigorate him?

“And he obviously knows coming to Celtic, and he knows how I work and hopefully we can maximise his talent.”

Iheanacho shows in flashes against Thistle the quality he has and he was also unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself.

And as the Nigerian international settles into life at Celtic, if Rodgers can get Iheanacho to the levels he was capable of at Man City and Leicester, the Hoops boss will have a special player on his hands.