Celtic fans are still fuming about the club losing Kelechi Iheanacho to Bursaspor this summer.
The Nigerian striker had a one-year option on his deal that Celtic allowed to expire, and as talks continued with Iheanacho, Bursaspor managed to agree a deal with him.
Now, a senior Bursaspor official has revealed the scale of the welcome awaiting Iheanacho in Turkey, and it makes Celtic’s failure to bring him back look even worse.
- READ MORE: Martin O’Neill explains why Celtic’s option to extend Kelechi Iheanacho’s contract wasn’t triggered
Kelechi Iheanacho won’t return to Celtic. How do you feel Celtic fans? 🤔🍀
Martin O'Neill has defended the call…😬
Bursaspor official reveals huge Kelechi Iheanacho welcome after Celtic exit
The signing of Iheanacho has clearly caught the imagination of the Bursaspor fans as they clamour to catch a glimpse of their new striker.
Bursaspor Project Board chairman Enbiya Topal says Iheanacho is eagerly anticipating playing in front of 45,000 supporters against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Taking to X, Topal said, “Kelechi Iheanacho is eagerly awaiting to meet with 45,000 Bursaspor fans at the match we’ll play against Shakhtar Donetsk on Sunday, July 26.
“So far, 12,500 seats have been sold with priority for season ticket holders, which will end tomorrow.
“It will open to congress members on July 20-21, and to general sale on July 22.
“With our new stars and champion team, we’re just a short time away from experiencing the European atmosphere we’ve missed so much.”
The friendly is being presented as an opportunity for supporters to welcome Bursaspor’s “new stars” and experience the European atmosphere the club has missed. It shows Celtic fans just how highly the Turkish side value Iheanacho.
Why Bursaspor’s Iheanacho plans make Celtic’s failure look worse
The scenes being planned in Bursa are a painful reminder of how Iheanacho’s Celtic career limped to an end.
Rather than returning to Parkhead as one of O’Neill’s experienced attacking options, he is now being presented as the headline arrival at another club.
Iheanacho helped Celtic win the league and Scottish Cup during an injury-disrupted campaign. O’Neill wanted him back, but Bursaspor secured the striker on a three-year agreement while Celtic were left licking their wounds.
While Bursaspor build their new striker up as a marquee arrival, Celtic’s board are facing questions over how another deal slipped through their fingers.
Bursaspor are preparing to unveil Iheanacho as a major signing in front of an enormous and expectant crowd.
Celtic are left explaining how a player O’Neill wanted, and believed had agreed to return, ended up receiving that welcome somewhere else.
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