It’s looking less likely every day that Kelechi Iheanacho will have a second season at Celtic.
That’s despite his immense contribution to the season’s run in with five goals in eight substitute appearances.
Iheanacho’s fitness was a mystery for much of the season, with large spells passing without him even featuring in matchday squads.
But when it counted most, he delivered moments without which Martin O’Neill’s league and cup double wouldn’t have been possible.
🤦♂️ Still no sign of an agreement for either of these two Celtic favourites to stay…
The season ended on May 23rd 🗓️
Celtic are missing a golden opportunity to give Kelechi Iheanacho a pre-season
Iheanacho was without a club in each of the last two pre-seasons, causing both to be extremely stop-start for the Nigerian.
Given what the striker has now shown in Hoops, it’s hard to feel that they haven’t missed a golden opportunity to see what he can do with a proper period of preparation.
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Iheanacho’s camp have made it clear that he would like to stay at Celtic, and he has gone on record about how much he has resonated with the club.
The lack of an extension to his contract could simply be down to the club’s infamous lowball tactics delaying an agreement.
But it could also be down to Martin O’Neill, who holds the final say. The Parkhead boss has voiced scepticism over the player’s fitness in previous months.
But a pre-season could be exactly what he needs. Prior to the last few years of instability, he was not an injury-prone player.
Rather, the opposite. Take it from Brendan Rodgers, who literally said upon the striker’s arrival last September: “It’s the one thing with Kels: he was a player that trained every day, and he was always available.”
It’s fair to say that those comments aged like milk with how his debut season transpired, but Celtic’s lack of movement after his stellar end to the season has left the feeling that the club have stopped digging before reaching the gold.
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Kelechi Iheanacho contact on his Celtic decision
John Inglis, close to Iheanacho’s camp, told the Scottish Sun last week: “Celtic should absolutely look to keep Kelechi.
“I know how much he loved playing for the club last season and the joy he took from winning the big trophies.
“I think he proved himself with very important goals. Kelechi’s just a brilliant finisher in the box.
“He almost went to Celtic at the start of last year after Brendan Rodgers came in for him. We had good discussions over the possibility and Kelechi was very keen to play again for Brendan.
“But Middlesbrough were really determined for his signature and even sent a private jet for him. Kelechi joined them.
“What I do think is vital is that he gets a full pre-season with a team, and if Celtic are to do anything to keep him then I’d urge them to move quickly.
“Kelechi’s missed the last couple of pre-seasons and it’s left him having to play catch-up with his fitness going into the seasons that have followed.
“It happened again when he went to Celtic and it took him time to get up to speed.
“But everyone saw how good he can be. He’s a big game player and a tremendous pressure moment finisher.
“I don’t look after Kelechi now but I still regard him as a friend.”
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