Celtic hero John Hartson has praised Kelechi Iheanacho for his impact at the club, Completesports.com reports.
Iheanacho has made some telling contributions for Celtic in recent months.
The Nigeria international scored the winning goal in the Hoops’ 2-1 win at Hibernian at Easter Road last weekend.
The 29-year-old also scored the decisive goal at Dundee as well as a brace in the Scottish Cup semi-final trouncing of St Mirren last month.
Iheanacho has now scored five goals in his last five games for the Scottish Premiership giants.
Celtic will take on Rangers in the Old Firm derby on Sunday.
Hartson Talks Up Iheanacho
Hartson has backed the former Manchester City forward to do more damage in the game.
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“Iheanacho has been massive for the team. The momentum is so important as well because the fans’ confidence in him will have risen. His confidence in himself to come on and get winning goals, that gives you massive faith and belief in yourself,” Hartson told the Celtic Way
“Whenever he comes on now, everybody thinks he’s going to score. That’s such a good thing, having that bit of pressure. Coming off the bench has suited him and suited everybody else. He’s not got himself in a level of fitness to start games, where he can really play the full 90 minutes.
“When he came back in, in the extra time against St Mirren in the semi-final, I thought he’d start the next game – but he didn’t. He still continued to be on the bench and comes on again the next few.
“That’s his best role, coming on with half an hour to go, and being that person the other team’s defence fear. Because you know he’s a great goalscorer.
“He (Iheanacho) struggled a bit with injuries and different managers, different players at different clubs, but it’s a good thing that they have that type of player.
“They can put him on and almost say he’s our best chance of getting us a goal. Credit to him and credit to Celtic for bringing him in, when everybody else thought he was finished.
“But he’s done really well. I’m just pleased that we’ve got him at our disposal. He’s already a hero but if he can continue scoring the goals he can be an even bigger one.”
By Adeboye Amosu
