Martin O’Neill has opened up on conversations he’s had with Kelechi Iheanacho following the striker’s goal at Dens Park. The Celtic manager pointed to both the player’s past level and what he still expects from him now.
Iheanacho’s late goal against Dundee gave Celtic three points at a time when they could not afford a slip. It also shifted attention back onto his role in the squad as the run-in tightens.
His time at the club hasn’t been smooth. Injuries have disrupted him, and minutes have been hard to come by. That has left him trying to find rhythm in short bursts rather than through a run of games.
Against Dundee, his contribution was simple but effective. He stayed central, attacked the cross, and finished first time. That presence in the box had been missing earlier in the match.
O’Neill spoke about where Iheanacho is in his career and what he still brings to the team.
He said: (TCW), “I’ve had a chat with him to say to him that he’s been a really fine player in his career.
“And he should be, really, at 29, he should be at the peak of his career, rather than, you know, sometimes maybe just scratching around. So I think that’s the point.
“But he scores. He can hold the ball up. He’s good at that. Might not be able to run the channels that much, but at the end of the day, he can hold the ball up. And that’s his trademark, really, in the game. And he’s played for Manchester City at the end of the day.
“Well, that’s some time ago, isn’t it? Like everything else. But, yeah, that’ll do him the world of good, I think.”
That role suits the way Celtic finished the game. With crosses coming in late on, having a striker who stays between the posts gives the wide players a clearer target.
It also changes how defenders react. Instead of stepping out, they have to hold their line and deal with the ball into the box. That creates space around them.
But in tight matches, that kind of presence can decide things. One cross, one touch, and the game shifts.
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