Celtic supporters, and Martin O’Neill, have been waiting anxiously to discover if Kelechi Iheanacho will extend his stay in Glasgow after his contribution to the league and cup double-winning season.
The Nigerian striker scored nine goals in 24 appearances for Celtic last season, including the last-gasp Motherwell penalty that kept Celtic’s title defence alive, as Iheanacho captured the hearts of the Hoops support.
And now, the wait for news about Iheanacho’s Celtic future appears to be nearing an end after a major contract claim emerged from Nigeria.
Should Celtic hand Kelechi Iheanacho a new contract?
Kelechi Iheanacho now has Celtic contract offer
O’Neill has confirmed Celtic have already put an offer in front of Iheanacho as negotiations continue over his return.
Nigerian outlet Sporting Life took to social media to report that Iheanacho is set to sign a two-year deal at Celtic.
This will delight supporters as Iheanacho not only scored the high pressure goal against Motherwell, the Celtic striker’s winner against Hibs last season kept the title defence well on track.
Why Iheanacho staying makes sense for Celtic
O’Neill’s desire to keep Iheanacho is understandable after the striker repeatedly delivered when Celtic’s season was on the line.
He scored the late Motherwell penalty, struck twice in the Scottish Cup semi-final and then found the net again in the final
Having just secured Camilo Duran, adding Iheanacho to Celtic’s front line alongside Callum Osmand gives O’Neill some very good squad depth at that end of the pitch.
The contract is not official yet, but Celtic have made their move and Iheanacho is reportedly turning down other opportunities to return. A two-year deal would give O’Neill one of his trusted forwards before the serious football begins.
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