Former Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has urged Celtic to hand Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho a new contract following his recent impact off the bench for the Scottish champions.
Iheanacho’s dramatic 99th-minute winner against Motherwell further strengthened his growing reputation as a clutch player at Celtic Park after a difficult start to life in Scotland.
Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his winning goal for Celtic. Photo credit: Imago
The former Manchester City and Leicester City striker joined Celtic last summer on a one-year deal with an option for an additional season.
However, injuries disrupted his early months at the club, with recurring hamstring problems limiting his involvement and pushing him to the fringes of the first team.
Despite those setbacks, Iheanacho has recently become an important late-game option for manager Martin O’Neill, delivering key goals and influential cameos from the substitute bench.
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Speaking to Afrik Foot, Onazi praised his former Nigeria teammate’s intelligence and composure, insisting Celtic would benefit from extending his stay.
“Iheanacho has shown what he can do and I am not surprised that he has been in good form recently with Celtic,” Onazi said.
“He might not be the fastest player, but he is a very smart footballer who keeps his cool, as he showed when taking that superb penalty with all the pressure that came with the game.”
Former Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi. Photocredit: Imago
The former Lazio midfielder believes a full pre-season could help unlock an even better version of the striker next campaign.
“I believe Celtic will do the right thing and keep him at the club. If he gets a good pre-season, he will do even more for them because I have always believed he has a lot to offer any team,” Onazi added.
The 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner endured a frustrating spell at Sevilla FC before reviving his career in Scotland, but Onazi believes the striker deserves credit for responding strongly to adversity.
“It is unfortunate things did not go well for him at Sevilla, but he did not allow that to deter him,” he continued.
“Even though he does not start games regularly, whenever he gets the chance, he takes it well.”
Onazi also pointed to Iheanacho’s goal tally this season as evidence that the striker still has plenty to offer at the top level.
“I think he has seven or eight goals for them this season, mostly from coming off the bench. Celtic would do well to exercise the option of another year because he has proven himself in my opinion.”
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Iheanacho could still end the season with silverware as Celtic prepare for next weekend’s clash against Heart of Midlothian FC, where victory would hand the Nigerian striker the sixth major trophy of his professional career.
