Former Scotland and Celtic center-back Charles Mulgrew has backed Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho to come good at Celtic Park after joining the Scottish champions this summer, Footynaija.com reports.
Iheanacho reunited with former Leicester City boss Brendan Rogers in the Scottish Premiership after terminating his contract with Spanish La Liga club Sevilla on the back of a turbulent debut season in Seville.
The Nigeria international’s arrival at Celtic has sparked diverse reactions with some worried fans pointing to his recent struggle for form and rhythm. His one-year stint at Sevilla included a six month loan spell at Middlesbrough where he also failed to impress.
Related Post
However, Mulgrew, who made 134 appearances for Celtic and scored 20 goals from the heart of defense, believes Iheanacho still has what it takes to deliver the goods for Brendan Rogers’ defending champions.
What Mulgrew said about Kelechi Iheanacho
“There are a couple of pictures of him circulating on social media but he’ll be judged on the pitch, that’s what happens,” Mulgrew said in quotes revealed by Daily Record.
“And I’m sure he’ll want to play. He’s still in his 20s, he’ll be aiming to come here and give everything he’s got because he realises what it is to play here and realises the size of this club and he’ll get an opportunity to bounce back.
“On paper it looks like a great signing. When he gets fit and gets back up to match speed, I don’t know how long that I’ll take, but you’d imagine he can be a great asset.
“Brendan Rodgers has worked with him closely so he knows what type of player he is, knows what type of professional he is. Remember he used to play him ahead of Vardy so that tells you what kind of standard Brendan rates him.
“The fact Celtic have got him is a great coup, he just needs to get fit and ready to go and you imagine he’ll score goals.”
Having struggled badly over the past year, Iheanacho will surely be looking to revive his career at Celtic Park. His reunion with Rogers and former Leicester City teammate Kasper Schmeichel should make adjusting to life in Scotland easier.
