Iheanacho winner sends Celtic joint-top in Scottish League
Super Eagles of Nigeria attacker Kelechi Iheanacho scored a second half winner to seal Celtic’s 2-1 win over Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League. The Sunday fixture was finely poised until Iheanacho entered the pitch as a second half substitute to deliver the winner against the ten-men hosts that renews the club’s belief of a […]
Super Eagles of Nigeria attacker Kelechi Iheanacho scored a second half winner to seal Celtic’s 2-1 win over Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League.
The Sunday fixture was finely poised until Iheanacho entered the pitch as a second half substitute to deliver the winner against the ten-men hosts that renews the club’s belief of a successful title defence despite a disastrous start to the season.
Jamie McGrath was sent off for a dangerous challenge on 21 minutes, but the more illustrious visitors labored to take the lead through Daizen Maeda on 4 minutes, but the visitors surprisingly let the lead slip in first half added time, Joe Newell netting a controversial strike.
Iheanacho entered the pitch on 70 minutes and scored the winner two minutes later following a corner kick. The ball was knocked on into the former Leicester City forward’s path who controlled before slotting into the bottom corner from six yards out.
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The goal is his fourth in five matches for the club, and it sent Celtic joint-top of the league, but trail Hearts of Midlothian by goals difference. All four goals came as a substitute.
The 29-year-old’s heroics led to the fans serenading him with a new song in the stands as he celebrated his sixth goal in seven substitute appearances.
Celtic coach Martin O’Neill also hailed his attacker who joined the club at the start of the season as an impact player who has won matches for the club from the bench.
“Terrific. Absolutely terrific. He has been magnificent, really. Dundee, he comes on and wins us the game there. Big impact in the Scottish Cup semi-final. Carried it on here.
“He is a proper centre-forward. You can see that there in the course of his career.”
Iheanacho has made 20 appearances for Celtic this season, 12 as a substitute, scoring eight goals and providing two assists.