Celtic told Kelechi Iheanacho will make trio ‘better’, without being ‘disrespectful’ to Daizen Maeda

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Kelechi Iheanacho has made a bright start to his Celtic career.

It was much needed from Celtic’s perspective because of the mess the club put themselves in regarding the striker situation.

Daizen Maeda might have gone goal crazy when Kyogo Furuhashi left in January, but he has proven this season that he is better off on the flanks.

Iheanacho isn’t just proving to be a goal threat, including coming off the bench and scoring in Belgrade last week, but it’s his overall play that is starting to transform a sluggish Brendan Rodgers side.

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Kelechi Iheanacho backed to make Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren better

Peter Grant thinks Celtic’s starting midfield, when everyone is fit, will be Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, and Benjamin Nygren.

But the trio, alongside the back-up options, have started sluggishly, including too many boring goalless draws for the liking of the champions of Scotland.

But speaking on Go Radio, Grant explained why Iheanacho playing through the middle will change that, and ensure the likes of McGregor, Hatate, and Nygren play ‘better.’

“I think the midfield will get better now when Iheanacho plays through the middle,” explained Grant. “I think Brendan (Rodgers) will stick with Nygren. He will stick with McGregor, and maybe bring Hatate back if he’s fit.

“When they are at their best this season, and they haven’t been, but they are the ones that have started for Brendan. I think they will be better if Iheanacho plays through the middle.

“That’s not being disrespectful towards anybody else. I have said about Maeda, I don’t think he is a centre forward. I have said that many times.

“But I think with somebody like Iheanacho, it allows these guys to run off the ball, and play balls into feet. All these things. Once we see that striker in position. I think it helps the midfield players.”

Iheanacho’s Celtic start in numbers

Celtic drew 0-0 with Hibernian over the weekend, but the common consensus was that the overall performance was far better.

That’s because of Iheanacho playing as a striker, including the Nigeria international hitting the crossbar, as Celtic missed several big chances to score in the first period.

But overall, and whilst there is still a long way to go, Iheanacho is more than getting the thumbs up from the supporters.

• Games: 4
• Goals: 2
• WhoScored rating: 6.48