The Nigeria international’s last gasp goal sparked wild celebrations in the victory against Kilmarnock
Brendan Rodgers and Kelechi Iheanacho(Image: PA)
Kelechi Iheanacho arrived a day after the transfer deadline day and was dismissed by some as a desperation signing.
But Brendan Rodgers did say his former Leicester City charge was a man for the big occasion rather than a busted flush.
Talk about the ideal way to endear himself to a fan base who were fuming over the circumstances that led to his arrival.
Some players might not have been too grateful to their boss for ordering them to take a 96th minute penalty when it seemed a couple of points were going to go in front of a support who spent most of the afternoon protesting against their club’s board.
But substitute Iheanacho rose to the challenge – and sparked wild celebrations in the away end.
Rodgers had no doubt the striker was the man for the job and he’d convinced there are more magic moments to come.
The Hoops boss said: “I was really pleased with Kels. I think the last penalty he took was for me at Wembley, when we beat Man City in the Community Shield, and that was another big moment there.
“And I think that’s a big moment for him, with the supporters and everything else.
“We got the penalty but he’s still got to score it, and he did that and we took the win.
“There’s no doubt he’s got big moments in him, and once he gets fitter, he’s only going to get better.
“Obviously our penalty taker has been off the pitch. I think Benji Nygren wanted the penalty and had the confidence, which is great.
“But my message was for Kels, I know what he brings, I know the confidence he brings, and I also know what a goal will do for him.
“I’m delighted for him and for the team in particular, because it’s been a long couple of weeks, but it’s a big win for us.”
Kelechi Iheanacho scores from the penalty spot(Image: SNS Group)
The euphoria of the goal gave way for yet more anti-board chants and it looks like the civil war engulfing the club isn’t going to see a truce any time soon.
The last-gasp winner came a long time after the opening no show, with a section of the away fans holding off from going into Rugby Park until after kick-off to show their rage at the way Celtic’s leadership go about their business.
Rodgers sent shockwaves himself with his pre-match press conference aligning himself with the supporters.
And he admitted he had to factor in the unrest when it came to his team talk.
Rodgers said: “I spoke to the players at the hotel beforehand. I mentioned the importance of concentration.
“I talk a lot about the first five minutes with the team, but today was about the first 12 minutes, and what we needed to do in that 12 minutes, and how we have to manage the situation.
“We had to be really clear on the performance on the pitch, what it is we wanted, the speed and the tempo, and we knew we could control all these things in terms of pressing, and all that side of it, and then obviously, you need to go and play with that level of confidence.
“There’s been a lot said and written and talked about, but ultimately, if we get onto the pitch, we can control that.
“I’m just so pleased for them that they could get the win to get us going again on this next run of games.”
Rodgers admitted seeing the stand fill up did make a difference though after that eirey start.
He said: “What we talked about is that the team and the supporters will give a new energy when they come in, and when the end’s packed, and you can see that, and you can feel that once the end was packed, and everyone’s behind the team, and they can suck the ball towards the goal, especially that second half when.
“But we have to, as a team, understand that whether there’s no one there, or whether it’s packed, or whether there’s only half there, we can still control the tempo and the organisation, and the speed and the intensity of the game.
“But of course, when you have the backing behind you, that just gives you that extra push and that extra energy, and we certainly felt that.”
These are dramatic, fractured times at Celtic. The manager seems to be at odds with the club’s strategy, while the fans are raging they are not getting a bang for their buck.
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda (left) celebrates after scoring(Image: PA)
But for a few minutes at Rugby Park, the rancour was parked as the away end knew they’d witnessed a big moment in the title race, even this early.
Rodgers could sense it as well. He said: “That’s what this club is about, and that feeling and that Celtic spirit that keeps you going right to the very end, and obviously it paid off for us.
“I’m delighted for the players, first and foremost, because all eyes were on them today.
“It’s a difficult surface, a difficult team to play against, but to come out and get the win and, as I said, get that feeling.
“I’ve been here often enough, like some of the senior players, to know the importance of a win like that, even early in the season.
“It sends everyone home happy on an awful day.”