Iheanacho will get better – Rodgers

Head coach of Celtic Football Club, Brendan Rodgers, insists that Super Eagles attacker Kelechi Iheanacho will only get better as the season progresses, following his impressive debut outing for the Bhoys last weekend, HAVIDON Sports Extra reports.

The 28-year-old Nigeria international, who recently joined Brendan Rodgers’ side after his contract with Spanish La Liga outfit Sevilla was terminated by mutual consent during the summer transfer window, made his debut for the reigning champions in their top-flight away encounter against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

The former Manchester City and Leicester City frontman came on for Japan international Daizen Maeda in the 70th minute and scored his first competitive goal in six months via a 96th-minute penalty, as Celtic ran out 2-1 winners.

A relieved Rodgers, who had previously worked with Iheanacho during their time at Leicester City, said, “There’s no doubt he’s got big moments in him. Once he gets fitter, he is only going to get better. I know what he brings, the confidence he brings and what a goal would do for him.”

Rodgers added, “I was really pleased for him. The last penalty he took was for me at Wembley when we beat Man City in the Community Shield. He stuck that one away, and that was a big moment for him there, and for the supporters and everyone else. He had the confidence, which is great.”

Prior to Iheanacho’s move to Scotland, the former U-17 starlet had endured a miserable 2024/25 campaign, in which he began the first part of the season with Sevilla, only to be farmed out on loan to English Championship side Middlesbrough during the January transfer window.

His poor form, coupled with a lack of match fitness, saw him miss Nigeria’s FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Rwanda and South Africa in the latest round of the international break. He will be looking to consolidate on his debut appearance, as he bids to win trophies for Celtic whilst plotting a return to the national team set-up.