Former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart is confident that striker Kelechi Iheanacho has the quality to succeed at the club.
The Super Eagles forward joined the Scottish champions in the summer transfer window and signed a one-year deal with the option of an additional year, after ending his contract at Sevilla.
Iheanacho, who was left out of Eric Chelle’s 23-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, only moved to Spain in 2024, but leaves after just one year.
Joe Hart, who played alongside Iheanacho at Manchester City, acknowledged the Nigerian forward’s quality and backs him to rediscover his form at Celtic.
“He is coming into a winning mentality, he is coming into a club that expects. You can’t really prepare anyone for that”, the former Manchester City goalkeeper said.
“I am not saying it’s going to shock him. But there is no point in any words from me. He needs to feel it and understand. He has a great leader, in terms of Callum (McGregor) in the dressing room, and obviously, Brendan. John Kennedy. All the coaching staff.
“You can be welcomed, and you can walk through the dressing room door. But then it’s up to you. How much do you want it? Because if you really want it, he has the quality, and he can bring goals to this club, and we know how that makes people react.”
Iheanacho tipped to bounce back from poor spell
The Nigerian forward first came into the spotlight at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2013, before going on to play for English giants Manchester City.
He left the Cityzens in 2017 to join Leicester City, where he formed an attacking partnership with former England international Jamie Vardy and won the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the EFL Championship.
Iheanacho left the Foxes following the expiration of his contract in 2024 and joined Sevilla.
However, the move failed to work out as the 28-year-old struggled to adapt to the new league’s demands and was loaned out to Middlesbrough in January.
Now set for a spell in Scotland under former manager Brendan Rodgers, the Super Eagles star will provide experience and firepower and will hope to bounce back to form in the new season.
