Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho has struggled for minutes at Celtic since suffering multiple hamstring problems in the first half of the season, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 29-year-old joined the Hoops last summer after terminating his three-year deal with Sevilla. In his time in Spain, the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner failed to score a league goal.
Iheanacho’s start to life in Scotland was brilliant. He scored two goals and provided an assist in his opening four games, but injury problems saw his playing time reduce drastically.
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Chris Sutton explains Iheanacho’s limited gametime at Celtic
Former England and Celtic striker Chris Sutton has weighed in on the Nigerian’s fortunes with the Hoops, claiming Daizen Maeda’s ability to press relentlessly from the front line is the reason for Iheanacho’s brief cameos.
“That pressing is something which Martin O’Neill feels that Iheanacho can’t do,” the 53-year-old said in quotes revealed by 67 hail hail.
“He can give Celtic greater quality, in terms of holding the ball in.”
Maeda has been ever-present for the Hoops this season, scoring eleven goals and providing 10 assists in 49 outings. As such, Coach Martin O’Neill couldn’t take him out of the starting line-up upon Iheanacho’s return.
Additionally, the Celtic legend has been clear about integrating the former Manchester City striker slowly, to avoid a third hamstring injury this term.
Iheanacho though, is hungry to impress as his contract runs out in the summer. So far, he’s scored six goals in 19 games across all competitions.
