Kelechi Iheanacho has quickly become a talking point, but the real debate is not about his ability. It is about his role. For Celtic, that matters more than anything else at this crucial stage of the season.
The question is simple on the surface. Should Iheanacho start games, or is he better suited to influencing them late on from the bench? It is a discussion that goes straight to the heart of what Celtic need from a forward.
John Collins has now weighed in after the striker scored another winner as Celtic beat Hibs, and his view adds fuel to a debate that is only getting louder. It sharpens the question on the Celtic striker rather than settle it.
How about that, Celtic fans? Three massive points
Kelechi Iheanacho yet again!
Collins Defines Iheanacho’s Strengths And Limits
Collins offered a full assessment, stating “Iheanacho has a good awareness of what’s round about him. He can take it in and you can play one-twos off him but what he doesn’t have is legs to start a game.
“So the manager has a decision to make. Do you have him on the bench when games are usually won in the last 20 minutes?
“I think he’ll be a bench player used for the last minutes until the end of the season. But there’s every chance he could be a hero at the end of the season.”
That view captures both sides of the argument. Iheanacho’s intelligence and link play are clear strengths, but they come with a limitation that cannot be ignored.
The key point is staring Celtic in the face. If a player cannot start games, then their role is restricted regardless of their quality.
The bench ‘hero’ role Celtic must weigh carefully with Iheanacho
Collins’ view shifts the debate away from ability and into Iheanacho’s role in Celtic’s title defence. It becomes a question of whether Celtic can justify building around a player who is not fit enough to last 90 minutes.
There is obvious value in a forward who can influence tight matches in the closing stages and Iheanacho has done that for Celtic over recent weeks.
However, that role exists within a wider structure. A team still needs a starting presence that sets the tempo, leads the line, and sustains pressure from the first whistle.
Celtic’s attacking approach depends on consistency, movement, and reliability over 90 minutes. A player limited to shorter bursts does not fully meet that demand.
The debate, then, is not really a debate at all. Collins has already outlined the answer through his own verdict.
Iheanacho may still deliver important moments, and he could yet play a decisive role when it matters most. But if his best use comes from the bench, then that is where his value begins and ends.
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