Kelechi Iheanacho has signalled his wish to remain in Scotland, handing the Celtic hierarchy a clear message after playing a starring role in the club’s historic domestic double.
Quick facts
- Kelechi Iheanacho wants to extend his stay at Celtic in Scotland.
- The Nigerian forward scored in Celtic’s Scottish Cup win over Dunfermline at Hampden Park.
- Celtic completed a landmark domestic double in the season’s final stretch.
- Iheanacho is nicknamed “Seniorman” by fans and teammates.
- He arrived at Parkhead as a free agent from Sevilla in September 2025.
- He finished the campaign with nine goals and one assist across 23 appearances.
- Celtic’s current deal is nearing its end, but the club holds an option to extend automatically for another year.
- The next step on his future will be taken by Martin O’Neill and the Celtic board as the summer window approaches.
The 29-year-old, known as “Seniorman” around the club, struck a decisive moment as Celtic held off a stubborn Dunfermline team to lift the Scottish Cup at Hampden Park. The triumph not only capped an exceptional debut spell in Glasgow, but also added yet another trophy to Martin O’Neill’s growing collection.
There were early doubts when Iheanacho joined Parkhead as a free agent in September 2025 after leaving Spanish outfit Sevilla. Scottish football’s intensity can be unforgiving for newcomers, but he quickly settled in and proved he could thrive in the relentless tempo. O’Neill has been able to lean on him as a dependable attacking presence, and the forward has repaid that trust with decisive contributions.
Across the season, Iheanacho produced nine goals and provided a crucial assist in 23 appearances. His cup-final strike served as a reminder of his sharpness in the penalty area, where he showed the sort of instincts that make him such a danger when chances fall his way.
Those performances have helped him become an immediate favourite among Celtic supporters. With the post-match celebrations in full swing, Iheanacho also made his intentions plain, explaining that he sees Glasgow as a long-term destination.
While his initial short-term contract is approaching its conclusion, Celtic still have a club option that would extend his stay automatically for another year. That means the ball is not entirely in his court, even if his preference is clear.
“It’s a proud moment for Celtic,” Iheanacho said. “It’s crazy—I have been here for only 10 months and I have already won two trophies. I am happy here, and so is my family. I hope by the start of next season I am still a Celtic player, but it would be for the club to decide this.”
With the summer transfer window drawing closer, the decision now falls to Martin O’Neill and the Celtic board as they weigh up how to handle the next stage of Iheanacho’s future.
