Kelechi Iheanacho was withdrawn just two minutes in to Celtic’s clash with Sturm Graz.
The Nigerian striker, who was reunited with Brendan Rodgers after his release from Sevilla following the closure of the transfer window, has faced questions over his fitness.
Initially, this didn’t seem to be a problem. He scored on his debut against Kilmarnock off the bench, and again on his European debut against Red Star Belgrade.
With international and Premier League pedigree having once been one of the most prominent young strikers in Europe, Iheanacho arrived looking to rediscover his former form.
But just two minutes into the Hoops’ meeting with Sturm Graz, he went down injured after no contact. Neil Lennon’s concern reflected the whole support’s feeling.
Neil Lennon on Kelechi Iheanacho’s injury for Celtic vs Sturm Graz
The game had barely started when Iheanacho went down and Johnny Kenny was instructed to get stripped to come on.
It’s a golden opportunity for the Irish striker, for whom starts have been few and far between since his return to Celtic in January.
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Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images
But the Hoops are left confused by the instant withdrawal of Iheanacho, who has established himself as the side’s main striker.
For Lennon, commentating on the game for TNT Sports, such an injury shouldn’t be happening.
He said: “That’s not a good sign. It looked a bit innocuous, I don’t know if he’s pulled something. But we’re only two minutes into the game, this is not good.
“That is a massive blow, your main striker coming off after two minutes. He looks very very frustrated. It’s a blow for him, it’s a blow for Celtic, it breaks up the momentum at the start that they wanted to make.
“But that’s a real interesting one, that shouldn’t be happening two minutes into the game. I don’t know what’s happened there.
“Is it his hip or his hamstring? It looked like he was holding the inside of his hip area. But that’s a massive blow to the player, who really wants to make an impact at the club having come in at the end of August.”
To make matters worse, Alistair Johnston was withdrawn on the 25th minute, with an apparent recurrence of his hamstring injury.
Celtic developing an injury crisis
Along with Johnston and Iheanacho, Jota and Daizen Maeda are also out of action.
In a time when Rodgers needs all the help he can get, the injury list growing is the last thing he could do with.
The Hoops face a crucial top-of-the-table clash with Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday – the Jambos could go eight points clear of the Celts with a win.
It’s worrying times at Celtic Park.