Nigerian international Kelechi Iheanacho once again proved decisive for Celtic, coming off the bench to score a late winner in their 2–1 victory over Hibernian to keep their Scottish Premiership title chase alive.

The Super Eagles star has built a reputation this season as a reliable game-changer, and this latest contribution only strengthens that narrative, Footballrover reports.

Kelechi Iheanacho Delivers Again as Celtic Super Sub Impact Grows

With the Hoops pushing for a crucial goal, manager Martin O’Neill turned to Iheanacho with 20 minutes left on the clock — a move that paid off almost instantly.

Just two minutes after his introduction, Iheanacho controlled the ball expertly with his chest before calmly finishing to seal the win.

His composure in front of goal once again proves his value in tight moments.

The former Manchester City star has now scored seven goals in 20 appearances across all competitions.

Notably, six of those goals have come from the bench, highlighting his effectiveness as a substitute against teams like Kilmarnock, Red Star Belgrade, Dundee FC, St. Mirren, and now Hibernian.

Iheanacho Form Strong but Question Over Full Match Role Persists

Despite his recent performances, questions remain about Iheanacho’s ability to sustain that impact over a full match.

His recent form is impressive, with three goals in his last three games, helping Celtic stretch their unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions.

Speaking after the game, former Celtic goalkeeper Packie Bonner praised Iheanacho’s contribution but hinted at a concern.

“Everybody connected with Celtic breathed a sigh of relief at the end. They made really hard work of it,” Bonner said on BBC Sportsound.

“Iheanacho came off the bench and he’s a proven striker. The big problem for him is lasting a full game but what an impact he made. The goal was really, really good.”

With his contract set to expire on June 30, 2026, Iheanacho’s future is also expected to attract attention in the coming weeks.

However, his current form ensures he remains a key substitute as Celtic prepare for a decisive clash against Rangers, with only two games left in the season.

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Last Updated on May 3, 2026 9:28 pm by footballrover