Tag: Iheanacho

 Nigeria International  Kelechi  will henceforth work under  a new  trainer  after Celtic confirmed the appointed Wilfried Nancy as their new head coach.

He was prised  from the Columbus Crew and ending a more than month-long search for a permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers who incidentally  dragged  Iheanacho to Celtic park.

Nancy  reportedly signed a two-and-a-half year contract with the Scottish giants and will officially begin work today.

Rodgers resigned on Oct. 27 following a 3-1 loss to Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts the previous day. Martin O’Neill was subsequently placed in interim charge of the team, with Shaun Maloney alongside him.

Since then, Celtic have won all five of their domestic games — including a 3-1 Scottish League Cup semifinal win over Old Firm rivals Rangers to set up a final against St. Mirren on Dec. 14. The only loss O’Neill has presided over was a 3-1 Europa League defeat to Midtjylland.

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“I am so happy to be named Celtic Manager, it is a massive honour for myself and my family,” Nancy said in the team’s announcement. “Before I say anything else I want to do one thing — I want to thank the great Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney for all they have done in recent weeks with the team. The job they have done has been fantastic.

“Now it’s up to me to carry on this great work and carry our great club forward and I can’t wait to get going and become part of such a brilliant institution. Celtic is one of the world’s proper football clubs, real atmosphere and heart and soul, real high standards and real demands, which I am ready for.”

Nancy’s first game in charge will be at home to Hearts, who Celtic trail by four points, on Sunday.

“We are really pleased to welcome Wilfried to Celtic,” Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell said. “He is a Manager with a record which demonstrates the kind of football which we know Celtic supporters love to see. We will give Wilfried all our support as we look to once again bring success to our fans.”

Kelechi Iheanacho has suffered an injury setback at new club Celtic just when he was getting into his groove at the Scottish champions.

He was forced out by a suspected hamstring injury after only four minutes of action in the Europa League tie against Sturm Graz Thursday night.

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He is now a major doubt for a top-of-the-table clash against Hearts this weekend.

Before this latest setback ‘Senior man Kels’ has netted three goals and made an assist in seven appearances for Celtic.

Celtic fell to a 2-0 defeat against Portuguese side SC Braga on the second matchday of the Europa League  phase yesterday  at Celtic Park, Glasgow.

The Bhoys failed to score in a second consecutive home game, having been held to a stalemate by Hibernian last weekend.

Nigeria international Kelechi Iheanacho completed 90 minutes for the first time in a Celtic shirt, marking his fifth appearance in all competitions for the Scottish champions.

It was a brilliant evening for Braga as not many clubs visit Celtic Park and come away with the spoils, piling the pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers.

The first goal that set Braga on their way was a long-range blaster from the captain Ricardo Horta twenty minutes into the contest.

Iheanacho thought he had equalized five minutes into the second half, but a faint touch off his arm led to the goal being disallowed after a VAR review.

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The Super Eagles star capitalized on a loose ball, lifted it over a defender and arrowed a shot into the far corner, but it was ruled out for handball in the build-up.

Had the goal stood, the former Leicester City star would have become the first Celtic player in 30 years to score in both his opening two major European appearances for the club, according to UEFA’s official website.

Gabri Martínez put the game beyond any doubt late on when he saw the ball cannon off him and past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Iheanacho found the net on the opening matchday of the Europa League against Red Star Belgrade.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has backed Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho to keep improving after his decisive contribution in the Scottish champions’ dramatic 2-1 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Iheanacho was the hero for the Hoops on Sunday, keeping his composure to convert a stoppage-time penalty that secured all three points.

 “I was really pleased for Kels,” Rodgers said. “I think the last penalty he took for me was at Wembley, when we beat Man City in the Community Shield, and he tucked that one away too. That was a big moment for him with the supporters and everything else. He’s got big moments in him, and once he gets fitter, he’s only going to get better.”

Read Also: Iheanacho opens Celtic’s account with vital penalty

Rodgers also revealed that first-choice penalty taker Arne Engels was not on the pitch, while Benji Nygren had wanted to take responsibility, but the instructions were clear.

 “My message was for Kels to take it,” he explained. “I know the confidence he carries and what a goal like that can do for him. I’m delighted for him and for the team—it’s been a long couple of weeks, and that was a big win for us.”

Kelechi Iheanacho marked his Celtic debut with a dramatic stoppage-time penalty to secure a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock in their Scottish Premiership clash at Rugby Park on Sunday.

The Nigerian striker, who joined the Hoops on a free transfer earlier this month, came on for Daizen Maeda in the 70th minute. 

With the match level, he coolly converted a last-kick penalty awarded for handball after a VAR review, firing high into the net to seal all three points.

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Maeda had earlier put Brendan Rodgers’ side ahead in the 55th minute with a header from Marcelo Saracchi’s cross. 

Kilmarnock, however, responded through David Watson, who nodded in from a corner.

The result keeps Celtic unbeaten this season, with Iheanacho making an instant impact as Rodgers’ men continue their title defence.

• Reunites with Rodgers and Schmeichel

Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho has expressed his delight after sealing a move to Scottish champions Celtic, describing the club as “massive” and one with a strong winning tradition.

Iheanacho, 28, signed a one-year contract with the Glasgow side, with an option for an additional year, following the mutual termination of his deal with La Liga outfit Sevilla. He has already resumed training with his new teammates and is expected to make his debut against Kilmarnock on Sunday, September 14.

Speaking to Celtic TV after his first session at Lennoxtown, the Nigerian forward said: “It was lovely. It’s a group of good lads, and I really enjoyed it. I think I can fit in on and off the pitch. Some of the guys are still away on international duty, but those here are really welcoming.”

The move reunites Iheanacho with manager Brendan Rodgers, who previously coached him at Leicester City, as well as goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, his former teammate during the Foxes’ FA Cup triumph.

 “I know Kasper very well, he’s a good friend, a funny guy and a great leader. Hopefully I’ll get to see him when he returns,” Iheanacho noted.

Reflecting on Rodgers’ influence, he added:

 “He has been massively important to my career. At Leicester, he gave me opportunities to show my talent, help the team and win trophies. He’s a great manager and a great person. I’m happy to work with him again and to play for this great club.”

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Iheanacho also spoke on Celtic’s trophy-laden history and his eagerness to contribute to their success:

 “When I came in here, I saw the trophies they’ve won – it’s a lot. Winning seems normal for this club, and they’re comfortable doing it every year. Hopefully, I can be part of that.”

Determined to rise to the challenge, the Nigerian emphasized the effort needed to match Celtic’s tradition of excellence:

 “To win something, you need to work your socks off. Celtic have done it year after year. It’s a massive club in a massive city, and I’m ready. I’ve always been ready since I started playing football.”

Sevilla manager Matías Almeyda has named a 25-man squad for their pre-season trip to Germany for Saturday’s friendly against Schalke 04.

Interestingly, the Nigerian trio of Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidera Ejuke, and Akor Adams are all included in the travelling party.

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Iheanacho, who joined the La Liga side last summer from Leicester City on a free transfer, had been rumoured to be out of favour following a disappointing debut campaign.

The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Middlesbrough and was recently sidelined with a stomach issue that kept him out of the Spanish club’s friendly defeat to Birmingham City.

Super Eagles attacker, Kelechi Iheanacho is thrilled to have a second chance with Sevilla ahead of the 2025-26 preseason activities.

The Super Eagles forward joined the former UEFA Europa League champions in the summer of 2024 but was declared surplus to requirements and had to be farm out to Middlesbrough during the second half of last season.

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Iheanacho is expected to return to Sevilla this summer in preparation for the upcoming season and the Ex- Manchester City striker says he hopes to grab the second chance with all attention.

“I’m really excited to be here. It’s a wonderful place. It was good to go out and experience football in a different environment,” the FA Cup winner said in an interview with Mundo Deportivo.

 “Sevilla is a great club. I loved my time there. It’s a fantastic team, and I’m looking forward to returning,” he added.

Middlesbrough head coach, Michael Carrick, was pleased Nigerian striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, was able to provide two assists in his side’s win against Blackburn Rovers Friday, Soccernet.ng reports.

After a debut goal against Oxford United, Iheanacho was involved in two goals, providing two assists in Boro’s victory, to continue his newfound form.

Carrick, in his post-game presser, revealed every step towards promotion counts, be it goals or assists, failing to single a player out, but crediting the whole team for a common goal.

Read Also: Iheanacho scores first goal for Boro

“I just think the boys are in a good place, and the squad’s in it together, and everyone is playing the part which is important. At this time, who scores, who sets it up. It’s more of how you impact the game and the roles within it.

“Everyone is giving everything they got and that was tonight. I don’t think if we don’t have the right attitude or spirit, that can get a touchy game tonight but we’ve seen it off really well,” the former Manchester United midfielder said in quotes revealed by the Northern Echo.

Middlesbrough are now firmly in the running for the Championship EFL play-offs spot, but Carrick, like he did against Oxford United, played down his team’s chances.