Former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov has raised doubts over Kelechi Iheanacho’s suitability for a long term role at the Scottish club, despite the Nigerian striker’s important contributions during their recent title winning campaign.
Celtic secured the league title after a strong finish to the season, with Iheanacho playing a decisive role from the bench by scoring crucial goals in key matches that helped swing results in the club’s favour.
However, Petrov believes the club must strengthen its ing options with a more consistent and physically reliable striker if they are to maintain success domestically and compete effectively in Europe.
Speaking on The Scottish Football Social Club, Petrov questioned whether Iheanacho possesses the durability required for a demanding season at a top club. He argued that Celtic need a forward who can perform consistently throughout the campaign without fitness concerns.
He acknowledged Iheanacho’s impact but suggested the club should consider a different profile of striker moving forward, one with greater physical presence and availability across the season.
Iheanacho, who has struggled with injuries and limited starts, was used mainly as a substitute throughout the campaign. Despite this, he scored five goals in his last eight league appearances, including several decisive late goals that proved vital in Celtic’s title push.
Overall, he made 13 league appearances, starting only four matches and playing under 500 minutes. His performances included a strong conversion rate inside the box, though he also missed several big chances and provided no league assists.
The Nigerian forward returned to training early after the title win as he seeks to strengthen his case for a more prominent role ahead of the Scottish Cup final.
With his future still uncertain, Iheanacho now faces a crucial period at Celtic as the club evaluates whether he fits into their long term plans.
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