Spare us the Iheanacho pining

Former Celtic striker Kelechi Iheanacho has made a terrific start to life in Turkey, sitting at the top of the scoring charts in Turkey’s second tier…

5th April 2026; Dens Park, Dundee, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Dundee versus Celtic; Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic applauds the fans

The Nigerian international has scored an impressive nine goals in just seven appearances for Bursaspor, after signing a three year deal with the Turkish side after being made a free agent when his one year Celtic deal expired during the close season.

Many Celtic supporters were hoping that the 29 year old would commit to a new deal after his scoring exploits in the closing stages of last season were instrumental in the club’s double success.

Unfortunately, despite the club looking into a new deal for the player nothing materialised, and the former Manchester City, and Leicester man opted to move to Turkey with Bursaspor.

5th April 2026; Dens Park, Dundee, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Dundee versus Celtic; Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates towards his fans after he shoots and scores in the 82nd minute to make it 2-1

After his sparkling form for his new side, some Celtic supporters have been questioning the clubs decision not to try harder to keep the 29 year old in Glasgow.

Camilo Duran of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Scottish Premiership 2026/27 match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park on September 02, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

As much as I rated the Nigerian international, and would have been happy to see him stick around, it was time for some freshness, and we got that in signing both Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran.

Both players cost a combined £17 million, so could you imagine the uproar if we passed either of them up in favour of a free agent?

9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scottish Premiership, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Kasper Hogh of Celtic celebrates with the match ball after his hat trick. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou

The standard of competition in the Turkish second tier isn’t the best either, and yes some will point to the strength of our own league, but it’s a better environment than the TFF Lig one.

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic holds the Scottish Premiership Trophy following the team’s victory in the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Kelechi Iheanacho would have been a good asset to this Celtic side, but he’s gone and we have other decent options who in time will prove to be key players for the club. Now is not the time for pining over a player who is no longer at the club.

Instead the focus has to be on playing in a way that utilises the goalscoring threats that Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran clearly have.  Hogh in particular seems to be wasted in the current shape that was so brutally destroyed at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon.

13th September 2026; Ibrox. Scottish League Cup Football, Rangers versus Celtic; Rangers players applaud their fans as the scoreboard reads Rangers 3 Celtic 0. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

That has to be the Celtic priority at this moment in time. The best of luck to Kelechi though, once a Bhoy….

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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