Martin O’Neill has seen Kelechi Iheanacho deliver at a key moment, with the striker’s late goal against Dundee keeping Celtic right in the title race.
The forward has had to wait for his chances this season. Injuries have slowed him down, and he has often been used in short bursts rather than given a run of starts. That has made it difficult to build rhythm.
But O’Neill will look at the Dundee game and see a striker doing exactly what is needed. The ball dropped in the box, and Iheanacho reacted first. It was sharp, instinctive, and enough to win the match.
Celtic have had games where control hasn’t led to goals. Against Dundee, that pattern looked like repeating. O’Neill needed something different in that moment, and Iheanacho provided it.
He said: (Celtic FC YouTube), “Of course, yes. The goal that he scored for us, I think that probably he was the one that, if it was to fall to anybody in the penalty box, he was the one that we were delighted that it would do.
”He’s had a few injuries, he’s come through those. He wants to do the work. He’s very supportive, supportive of the forwards who are playing maybe in his place.
”Genuinely really supportive. You know, both when he’s in the squad, he’s not on the field, he’s very vocal behind me.
”If he can stay fit, that would be great news.”
O’Neill’s focus now is on getting the most out of his attacking options. Iheanacho gives him something different. He stays central, works inside the box, and looks for second balls.
That matters late in games. When teams sit deep, space disappears. Crosses come in, rebounds fall loose, and someone has to be there.
There is also another option edging closer. Callum Osmand has returned to training after a long spell out, giving O’Neill another striker to work with as the games come quickly.
O’Neill has options across the front line, but not all of them play the same way. Iheanacho’s role is clear. He’s there to finish moves when they break down into scrappy moments.
With games running out, those moments decide points. O’Neill will know he may need that again before the season ends.
