Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates scoring the winning goal. Photo by Mark Runnacles/Shutterstock (16853656cw)
Monday May 04, 2026. 11:19
Celtic legend Packie Bonner has praised Nigerian star Kelechi Iheanacho following his match-winning antics this past weekend.
Iheanacho came off the bench in the 70th minute of the Hoops’ Scottish Premier League clash away to Hibernian on Sunday, and scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 triumph within two minutes of his arrival.
The 29-year-old Super Eagles attacker has a habit of making key contributions off the bench for Martin O’Neill’s side – with six of his seven goals for the club scored as a substitute.
“Everybody connected with Celtic breathed a sigh of relief at the end. They made really hard work of it,” former Celtic goalkeeper Bonner said on BBC Sport.
“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.”
Celtic are trying to chase down Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership table and will next be in action in the ‘Old Firm’ derby against arch rivals Rangers on Sunday.
Iheanacho, who joined Celtic in September 2025, is set to reach the end of his contract with the Glasgow club in June, though there is an option for the deal to be extended for a further 12 months.