Kelechi Iheanacho capped his remarkable late-season resurgence with another influential display as Celtic stormed back to defeat Hearts 3-1 in a dramatic Scottish Premiership title decider at Celtic Park on Saturday.
The victory secured Celtic’s fifth consecutive league title and their 56th Scottish crown overall after one of the most dramatic title races in recent memory.
Kelechi Iheanacho celebrating his 99th-minute penalty winner against Motherwell. Photocredit: Imago
Heading into the final day, Hearts sat top of the table with a one point advantage and needed only a draw to end their 66-year wait for a league title. Celtic, meanwhile, knew only victory would be enough after keeping their hopes alive in midweek thanks to Iheanacho’s controversial 99th-minute penalty winner against Motherwell.
Introduced at the start of the second half with Celtic trailing 1-0, Iheanacho immediately transformed the tempo and urgency of Brendan Rodgers’ side. The former Leicester City striker brought composure, physicality and attacking thrust as Celtic launched wave after wave of pressure on Hearts.
Lawrence Shankland had stunned the home crowd shortly before halftime when he headed Hearts into the lead in the 43rd minute from a Stephen Kingsley delivery, a goal that momentarily placed the Edinburgh side within touching distance of a historic title triumph.
Laurent Shankland celebrates opener against Celtic
Deep into first-half stoppage time, Arne Engels calmly converted from the penalty spot after Alexandros Kyziridis handled inside the area, restoring belief among the home supporters before the break.
Rodgers then turned to Iheanacho at halftime, and the substitution changed the entire complexion of the contest.
The Super Eagles forward repeatedly troubled the Hearts defense with intelligent movement and sharp link-up play, helping pin the visitors deep inside their own half as Celtic intensified the pressure.
In the 65th minute, Iheanacho won a dangerous free kick in the attacking third after being fouled by Frankie Kent, further increasing the momentum in Celtic’s favour.
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With the game level and the title still hanging in the balance, Iheanacho unleashed a fierce left-footed strike from outside the box in the 79th minute that crashed against the post, narrowly missing what would have been one of the goals of the season.
Eight minutes later, Daizen Maeda finally broke Hearts’ resistance when he turned home from close range after excellent work by substitute Callum Osmand. The assistant referee initially ruled the goal out for offside, briefly silencing Celtic Park, but VAR intervened to confirm Maeda was onside, sparking wild celebrations among the home faithful.
As Hearts desperately pushed forward in stoppage time searching for an equaliser, Celtic sealed the title in devastating fashion on the counterattack. Callum Osmand raced through and finished calmly into an empty net in the 98th minute to complete a memorable comeback victory.
Celtic Maida celebrates his goal and celtic second of the afternoon. Photocredit: Imago
While Maeda and Osmand provided the goals that mathematically delivered the trophy, Iheanacho’s impact once again underlined his growing importance to Celtic during the decisive closing weeks of the season.
The Nigerian has now directly influenced multiple title-defining moments during the run-in. His dramatic late winners against Kilmarnock, Dundee Hibernian and Motherwell secured vital points that kept Celtic alive in the race, while his brace in the Scottish Cup semifinal demolition of St Mirren also helped propel the club toward a possible domestic double.
After enduring difficult spells at Sevilla and during his loan stint at Middlesbrough, Iheanacho has revived his career in Scotland in stunning fashion.
Kelechi-Iheanacho
The 29-year-old has now scored eight goals in 22 appearances across all competitions this season and has become one of Celtic’s most decisive impact players despite battling injuries earlier in the campaign.
Iheanacho joined Celtic on a one-year contract last summer, with the Scottish champions holding an option to extend the deal by another year. Following his recent heroics, former Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi publicly urged Celtic to retain the striker, insisting he still has plenty to offer at the highest level.
The former Manchester City forward recently added further intrigue when asked about his future after the Motherwell victory.
“I think after 90 minutes on Saturday, then we’ll talk about that,” Iheanacho said.
Saturday’s triumph may now strengthen the case for Celtic to trigger that extension.
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With the Premiership title secured, Celtic will now shift focus to the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic on May 23, where Iheanacho could complete a remarkable personal comeback story by helping the Hoops secure a domestic double.
