Kelechi Iheanacho may have just given Celtic supporters another reason to believe he wants to remain at the club next season.
The striker’s contract is due to expire this summer after arriving at Parkhead following the closure of the transfer window last September.
However, Celtic do hold an option to extend the deal for a further year, leaving the final decision in the club’s hands.
Iheanacho has already made it clear publicly that he would welcome the chance to stay in Glasgow.
And judging by his latest social media activity, that feeling does not appear to have changed.
Taking to Instagram, the Nigerian forward shared a photo from Celtic’s Scottish Cup celebrations and trophy lift.
The accompanying caption was simple.
“My team.”
Many will interpret it as another indication of where Iheanacho hopes to be playing his football next season.
Whether there is any deeper meaning behind it remains to be seen.
What cannot be disputed is the impact he made during the closing stages of the campaign.
From April onwards, Iheanacho became one of Martin O’Neill’s most effective weapons from the bench.
He scored six goals in nine substitute appearances, including decisive winners away to Dundee, Hibernian and Motherwell as Celtic surged towards an unlikely league and cup double.
Those contributions proved invaluable.
The question facing Celtic is whether they believe there is even more to come.
There were concerns over his fitness throughout the season. Since arriving at the club, Iheanacho has not completed a full 90 minutes in a Celtic shirt.
O’Neill regularly managed his workload and often used him as an impact substitute rather than a starter.
Yet when the pressure was at its highest, the striker repeatedly delivered.
That leaves Celtic with an interesting decision.
Do they focus on the fitness concerns and look elsewhere, or do they reward a player who played a significant role in delivering silverware?
The latest Instagram post will not decide that debate.
If Celtic trigger the option, there appears little doubt that Iheanacho would be happy to stay.
And after the way he finished the season, plenty of supporters would be happy with that too.
My prediction?
Club take up the option of the extra year but insist he takes a 50% wage cut
The penny pinching attitude is embarrassing
if they do he can blame you 🤣
Given that we dont have a recruitment team in place (window opens today), we really need to be keeping hold of Iheanacho and Oxlade-Chamberlain. We are light in numbers as it is and are expected to lose another few over the summer (Daizen, Engels and probably Cal given that we have zero ambition).
I really do despair with regards to our current board and strategy. They have destroyed the end of season feel good factor.
I’m not looking forward to the new season