Former Scotland and Aberdeen defender John Inglis has urged Celtic to move swiftly to secure the future of Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho amid growing transfer interest from Turkey, Footynaija.com reports.
Iheanacho is currently a free agent after Celtic’s option to extend his stay at Parkhead expired. While clubs in the Turkish Super Lig are reportedly monitoring his situation, the Nigerian forward is understood to favour remaining with the Scottish Premiership champions.
However, with Celtic yet to make a final decision, the 28-year-old’s future remains unresolved heading into the new campaign.
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Inglis believes the Hoops should waste no time in keeping Iheanacho, insisting the former Leicester City striker showed enough during his spell at the club to deserve another opportunity.
“Celtic should absolutely look to keep Kelechi,” Inglis told The Scottish Sun.
“I know how much he loved playing for the club last season and the joy he took from winning the big trophies. I think he proved himself with very important goals. Kelechi’s just a brilliant finisher in the box.
“What I do think is vital is that he gets a full pre-season with a team and if Celtic are to do anything to keep him then I’d urge them to move quickly.
“Kelechi’s missed the last couple of pre-seasons and it’s left him having to play catch-up with his fitness going into the seasons that have followed.
“It happened again when he went to Celtic and it took him time to get up to speed. But everyone saw how good he can be. He’s a big-game player and a tremendous pressure-moment finisher.”
With Turkish clubs ready to capitalise on the uncertainty surrounding his future, Celtic face an increasingly important decision. While Iheanacho is reportedly keen to continue at Parkhead, the Scottish champions may have to act quickly or risk losing an experienced striker who has already demonstrated his value on the biggest occasions.
