Celtic legend Frank McAvennie has come out in support of Kelechi Iheanacho, saying the Super Eagles striker is a genuine top-level forward and that fitness has been the only barrier standing between him and consistent output at Parkhead.
Frank McAvennie knows what it takes to score goals for Celtic. The Scottish legend spent two spells at Parkhead and is among the club’s most celebrated strikers, which makes his endorsement of Kelechi Iheanacho meaningful. Speaking to the Scottish Sun, McAvennie backed the Super Eagles forward without reservation.
“I like Kelechi Iheanacho because when he’s up to speed and up to fitness, he’s top,” McAvennie said. “He’s a proper, proper striker.”
The comment cuts to the heart of what has been a frustrating debut season in Scotland for the 29-year-old Nigerian. Iheanacho joined Celtic on a one-year contract during last summer’s transfer window, arriving with a Premier League pedigree after years at Leicester City. The early signs were promising, but recurring hamstring injuries disrupted his rhythm and kept him largely to a substitute role for long stretches of the campaign.
The Numbers Tell the Tale
Iheanacho has four goals in 17 appearances across all competitions for Celtic this season, a modest return that does not reflect the level of player McAvennie is describing. Most of those appearances have come off the bench, limiting his ability to build match sharpness and find the form that made him a fan favourite at Leicester. As reported by FootballInNigeria.com.ng, his most recent contribution was a vital winner against Dundee in early April, ending a six-month goal drought in the most direct manner possible.
That goal came as a reminder of what Iheanacho can offer when his body allows it. Quick feet in tight spaces, sharp movement inside the box, and an ability to produce big moments in important games are qualities that have defined his career, even if the statistical output at Celtic has not always reflected that. The current Bet9ja promotion is available for fans who want to follow Iheanacho and the rest of Nigeria’s foreign-based stars ahead of the Unity Cup in May.
Celtic’s Title Race and Iheanacho’s Role
Celtic have been competing for the Scottish Premiership title throughout the season, with manager Brendan Rodgers having a broader squad to rotate than many of his rivals. Iheanacho’s limited availability has meant he has featured more in cup and lower-stakes league fixtures rather than the games that decide championships. With the season winding down, the remaining weeks represent his best opportunity to make a final impression before his contract expires and decisions are made about his future at the club.
McAvennie’s broader comment about Celtic’s best performers this season pointed toward other players likely to win the individual awards. But his words about Iheanacho were unambiguous: this is a striker who belongs at this level and beyond, provided he can stay fit long enough to prove it consistently. Nigerian fans keeping tabs on how the former Super Eaglet is getting on in Scotland can also use the YOHAIG welcome offer to start their Bet9ja account. For those wanting more information on available bonuses, the Bet9ja sign-up bonus page has a full breakdown of what new customers can claim.
The Super Eagles Dimension
Iheanacho’s fitness and form in club football carries direct implications for his international prospects. Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has shown a willingness to look beyond reputation when selecting squads, and consistent playing time at Celtic would go a long way toward securing Iheanacho a place in the Unity Cup squad. At 29, with his best years potentially still ahead of him if he can manage his injury issues, this summer could define the next chapter of a career that has always promised more than it has consistently delivered at club level.
📌 Did You Know?
- Kelechi Iheanacho became famous in Nigeria for winning the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup with the Golden Eaglets in Chile, where he was the tournament’s top scorer and Golden Ball winner at age 18.
- Iheanacho won the FA Cup with Leicester City in 2021, scoring against Southampton in the final at Wembley in what remains one of the most celebrated moments of his club career.
- Frank McAvennie scored 63 goals in 147 appearances across both his spells at Celtic, making his view on what constitutes a top-level striker at Parkhead one based on genuine first-hand experience.
- Celtic’s Scottish Premiership title has been the most contested in years, with the Glasgow giants facing stiff competition during the 2025-26 campaign from rivals who have invested heavily in strengthening their squads.
- Iheanacho previously played for Manchester City before joining Leicester, where he became one of the Premier League’s most reliable impact substitutes during the club’s most successful period in their history.
- Recurring hamstring injuries are particularly common among attacking players who rely on explosive movements, and managing those issues at the back end of a career often requires significant changes in training methodology.
- Iheanacho’s Super Eagles career includes appearances at the 2019 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, with the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast ending in a final defeat to the host nation, where Kelechi was part of the squad.
