LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Semi Final of the Emirates FA Cup between Leicester City and Southampton FC at Wembley Stadium on April 18, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Celtic have reportedly allowed their option to extend Kelechi Iheanacho’s contract to expire, leaving the striker’s future in serious doubt.
The 29-year-old played a pivotal role in the club’s historic title triumph, scoring crucial winners against Dundee, Hibs and Motherwell during the final Premiership run-in.
Iheanacho also netted in the Scottish Cup final, cementing his status as one of the most impactful players in Celtic’s remarkable end-of-season surge.
Despite those contributions, the striker was a notable absentee from the start of pre-season training at Lennoxtown, raising immediate questions about his standing at the club.
Reports indicate the club’s chance to trigger a contract extension has simply expired, leaving the Nigerian international in an uncertain position heading into the summer window.
There have reportedly been “no concrete talks” over his future, despite the player himself being keen to extend his stay at Parkhead.
Perhaps most notably, manager Martin O’Neill is also said to be eager to retain the striker’s services, making the situation all the more puzzling for supporters.
Clubs in Turkey have already reportedly tabled terms to the free agent, with clubs across Europe now placed on alert over his availability.
O’Neill previously spoke glowingly about Iheanacho’s ability to influence matches from the substitutes bench, highlighting his composure in front of goal as a standout quality.
“Iheanacho comes off the bench, shows a bit of class, a bit of composure as well to put it in the net and win it for us,” O’Neill said.
“Sometimes it’s really difficult when you’re coming off the bench. First of all, you have to try and get into the game.”
O’Neill added: “Secondly, something might fall to you but he showed great composure in getting in because the ball took an age to come down but he still put it in the net as only he can do.”
The striker’s super-sub role meant he frequently had to make an instant impact without the benefit of a full match to find his rhythm, a challenge O’Neill clearly acknowledged.
Whether Celtic move to resolve the situation before the striker commits elsewhere remains to be seen, with time now becoming a pressing factor in any potential resolution.
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