With the new Scottish Premiership season edging ever closer, Celtic supporters are eagerly waiting to see how the champions shape their squad before the opening weekend.
While many expected a busy transfer window filled with arrivals and departures, activity has been relatively calm, leaving fans wondering when the next major announcement will arrive.
The Hoops have already strengthened one key area by completing the signing of Colombian striker Camilo Durán from Qarabağ in a deal believed to be worth around £6 million.
His arrival has generated excitement among supporters, but attention has quickly shifted to another important piece of business involving one of the club’s experienced forwards.
Instead of focusing only on bringing in fresh faces, Celtic’s hierarchy have also been working behind the scenes to secure the futures of players they believe can still contribute during another demanding campaign.
Squad stability has become a priority as the club prepares to compete on multiple fronts once again.
One player who looked destined to leave only a few weeks ago has now dramatically changed the direction of his future.
Reports now suggest the experienced striker is increasingly likely to remain in Glasgow after what has been described as a significant turnaround in negotiations.
Kelechi Iheanacho Set for Celtic Stay
According to respected Greek journalist George Tsarouchas, discussions have taken place regarding a new two-year contract that would keep Kelechi Iheanacho at Celtic beyond this season.
Even more remarkably, the Nigerian international is said to have rejected lucrative approaches from clubs in both Qatar and Turkey because his preference is to continue his career in Scotland.
Although no official agreement has yet been announced, optimism is growing that both parties will soon reach a final compromise. Considering how uncertain his future appeared not long ago, this represents a remarkable U-turn that few supporters would have predicted earlier in the summer.
Why Celtic Want to Keep Iheanacho
The possibility of Iheanacho remaining at Celtic has been welcomed by many fans who appreciated his influence during the closing months of last season. While injuries prevented him from featuring consistently throughout the campaign, his knack for producing decisive moments helped change several important matches.
His arrival at Celtic was never part of the original recruitment strategy. Circumstances forced the club to act quickly after Adam Idah departed for Swansea late in the transfer window, creating an unexpected opening in the attacking department.
Because Sevilla agreed to terminate his contract, Iheanacho became available outside the transfer window and was able to complete his move to Glasgow. It was a low-risk opportunity for Celtic, although few expected the campaign to unfold the way it eventually did.
The first half of his season proved frustrating as recurring fitness issues limited his involvement.
Having played very little competitive football before arriving in Scotland, rebuilding match sharpness was always likely to take time.
Between October and March, the striker managed only a handful of league minutes as injuries repeatedly interrupted his progress. During the same period, Celtic also experienced considerable instability on the coaching side, making it even more difficult for him to establish consistent momentum.
Despite those setbacks, he wasted little time making an impression whenever opportunities arrived. On his league debut away to Kilmarnock, he calmly converted a dramatic stoppage-time penalty that secured all three points and immediately introduced himself to the Celtic faithful.
That goal proved to be the beginning rather than a one-off contribution. As the campaign progressed, Iheanacho developed a reputation for delivering when the pressure was at its highest, often scoring goals that completely changed the outcome of matches.
Kelechi Iheanacho’s Celtic Goals
| Date | Match | Goal Time |
|---|---|---|
| 14 September | Kilmarnock 1-2 Celtic | 90+6′ (Penalty) |
| 24 September | Crvena zvezda 1-1 Celtic | 55′ |
| 5 October | Celtic 3-2 Motherwell | 28′ |
| 5 April | Dundee 1-2 Celtic | 82′ |
| 19 April | Celtic 6-2 St Mirren (AET) | 96′, 102′ |
| 3 May | Hibernian 1-2 Celtic | 72′ |
| 13 May | Motherwell 2-3 Celtic | 90+9′ (Penalty) |
| 23 May | Celtic 3-0 Dunfermline | 73′ |
Looking at the statistics, it becomes easier to understand why Celtic are keen to retain the experienced striker. Many of his goals arrived in crucial moments, directly influencing the outcome of league and cup matches during the closing stages of the campaign.
His dramatic winners against Dundee, Hibernian and Motherwell helped keep Celtic’s title hopes alive before they eventually lifted the Premiership trophy. He also scored in both the Scottish Cup semi-final and final, proving he could deliver when the pressure was at its highest.
Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill praised the striker’s contribution, describing him as brilliant and highlighting the quality of his finishing during decisive moments.
Those comments reflected the growing appreciation among supporters who witnessed his impact during the business end of the season.
Questions surrounding his long-term fitness will naturally remain after the setbacks he experienced last year. Nevertheless, when available, Iheanacho consistently demonstrated that he possesses the experience, composure and finishing ability needed to influence big matches.
With Champions League football, domestic cup competitions and another demanding Premiership campaign on the horizon, squad depth will be more important than ever. Keeping a proven international striker who has already shown he can perform under pressure could prove every bit as valuable as making another expensive signing.
While supporters continue waiting for further arrivals before the transfer window closes, retaining trusted players may ultimately be one of Celtic’s smartest moves this summer. If negotiations are completed in the coming days, Iheanacho’s surprise decision to stay could become one of the biggest boosts of the club’s preparations for the new season.