Former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant has warned new signing Kelechi Iheanacho that he will have no time to settle in at Parkhead.
Iheanacho, 28, brings a wealth of Premier League and European experience, but his lack of recent minutes has raised questions over his readiness. Grant believes Celtic supporters will expect instant impact from the forward, with patience in short supply.
The ex-Hoops man stressed that Iheanacho’s peak years should be ahead of him, but without recent game time, doubts remain about his sharpness. In Glasgow, Grant insisted, reputation alone counts for nothing if performances don’t come quickly.
Grant gave a blunt assessment of the challenge facing Celtic’s latest recruit.
He said: (Go Radio Football Show), “The only question mark we have just now is because we haven’t seen him play recently.
“At 28, his peak years should be there, but we don’t know where he is because we haven’t seen him play.
“He will get judged in 10 minutes – and that is the way football is in Glasgow.
“If he is fit, there is absolutely no doubt he is a talented boy.
“But the boy won’t get time to break himself in.”
Grant’s message highlights the pressure on Iheanacho to perform the moment he plays for Celtic. After missing out on main targets like Kasper Dolberg and David Datro Fofana, Rodgers needs his new striker to make an instant impact.
Iheanacho’s background shows he has the talent, but supporters will expect goals straight away as the team faces tough league and European games.
Rodgers knows the player well from Leicester, which may give him trust inside the squad, but fans in the stands will be far less patient. With Celtic already criticised for a poor transfer window, Iheanacho will be judged only on what he delivers.
That means the striker must hit the ground running, or risk being seen as another signing that failed to make the difference.
Keep Reading
