Celtic interim head coach Martin O’Neill has offered little assurance to Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho over his future at the club, admitting he is in no position to make promises given the uncertainty surrounding his own role, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
- +O’Neill uncertain over Iheanacho’s future
Iheanacho joined the Scottish champions last summer as a free agent after cutting short his stay at Sevilla, and while he struggled with injuries and lost his starting place, he became a popular figure at the club, scoring important goals off the bench as Celtic won the league title and the Scottish Cup, the latter with a decisive substitute appearance against Dunfermline Athletic.
Iheanacho joined the Scottish champions last summer as a free agent after cutting short his stay at Sevilla, and while he struggled with injuries and lost his starting place, he became a popular figure at the club, scoring important goals off the bench as Celtic won the league title and the Scottish Cup, the latter with a decisive substitute appearance against Dunfermline Athletic.
Despite limited playing time, the 29-year-old made clear his desire to stay at Celtic beyond this season.
“I love the supporters, I love them all,” Iheanacho said, in quotes reported by the Herald Scotland.
“Everyone in the streets of Glasgow, people recognise me. I am happy. The whole of Glasgow is a great city. Hopefully, I will be here next season. I am really happy to wear a Celtic shirt and to play for them with all my heart.”
However, O’Neill, who is in discussions with principal shareholder Dermot Desmond about whether he will take on the permanent role, made clear he cannot influence decisions on player contracts.
“Iheanacho keeps asking me! ‘What do you think, are they going to keep me on?’” the 74-year-old told the Scotsman after the Scottish Cup final.
“I have no idea, mate. Don’t ask me, I am not the manager anymore. This morning again, he stopped me in the lift. ‘Are you staying on?’ I have no idea, can you just concentrate on the game this afternoon!”
Iheanacho signed a one-year deal at Celtic Park with an option for a further year. Whether the club will trigger that extension remains unclear.
