Joe Hart tells Kelechi Iheanacho there is something ‘you can’t really prepare’ for at Celtic

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Kelechi Iheanacho is in the building at Celtic.

There is a lot of pressure on Iheanacho’s shoulders, nothing of his own doing, but because Celtic had an abject summer transfer window.

It then puts a bigger spotlight on the free transfer because he isn’t what the Celtic fans were looking for, especially after the sales of Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah.

One man who knows Iheanacho very well is Joe Hart, because he was a senior pro at Manchester City when the versatile player was coming through as a fresh-faced teenager.

• READ MORE: Ex-Celtic striker shares what he noticed about Kelechi Iheanacho at Middlesbrough last season

Joe Hart on Kelechi Iheanacho coming through at Manchester City

These past few seasons haven’t gone well for Iheanacho; that’s why Sevilla mutually terminated his contract this summer, and why he became a free agent.

But once upon a time, the 28-year-old was wowing Hart, who ‘wasn’t sure’ of the player when he first saw him, but then ‘his ability shone through’, as he told Sky Sports.

Celtic’s legendary goalkeeper noted that, if Iheanacho can find his ‘rhythm’, then he can become a ‘dangerous’ and ‘top-end’ player.

“Kelechi came in early, and he came from nowhere,” shared Hart about Iheanacho coming through at Manchester City.

“I wasn’t sure when he first trained with us. Then, his ability kind of shone through, and he has a really cool and calm head. He has an interesting personality and sense of humour that grew on all of us. We were senior pros by then, and he was a young guy.

“If he can get a rhythm, which is what he has lacked over the last couple of years, then he is a really dangerous player and a top-end player. So calm finishing. He is very hard to read – Brendan knows how to get the best of him, and you can have a top striker.”

Hart tells Iheanacho what he is walking into at Celtic

Celtic are the champions of Scotland, and nothing but title number 56 is going to be accepted by the supporters when the final ball is kicked in May.

Hart understands that and told Iheanacho that he is ‘coming into a winning mentality’, with the Hoops lifting 13 of the last 14 Premiership titles.

Added to that, Hart stated that Iheanacho ‘can’t really prepare’ for a club that expects so much, and the best way to experience it is out on the pitch.

“He is coming into a winning mentality,” added Hart. “He is coming into a club that expects. You can’t really prepare anyone for that.

“I am not saying it’s going to shock him. But there is no point in any words from me. He needs to feel it and understand. He has a great leader, in terms of Callum (McGregor) in the dressing room, and obviously, Brendan. John Kennedy. All the coaching staff.

“You can be welcomed, and you can walk through the dressing room door. But then it’s up to you. How much do you want it? Because if you really want it, he has the quality, and he can bring goals to this club, and we know how that makes people react.”