The former Man City and Leicester star got off to a flier with his last gasp spot kick winner against Kilmarnock
Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates(Image: SNS Group)
Rugby Park hero Kelechi Iheanacho insists he can spark into life at Celtic – and make the critics eat their words.
The Hoops striker made an instant impact with his nerves-of-steel stoppage the spot kick winner against Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Iheanacho insisted the debut goal is just the start and he’s convinced he can crack it with Celts after being written off on the back of difficult spells in Spain with Sevilla and Middlesbrough in the Championship.
The former Man City and Leicester star said: “As a football player you get this all the time. When it’s not going really well, you just need to be strong, you don’t need to lose your mind.
“It’s a professional game, so you need to just focus and keep doing the work.
“When it clicks you just keep going and get there.
“It is massive, really massive, for me. It’s a great opportunity for me here, to come to this club and try to make that impact. Going forward I think it will give me the confidence to show my quality for the club.”
Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers wanted Iheanacho to step up to take the penalty and the frontman was thrilled to get the quick-fire chance to win over the Celtic fans.
The 28-year-old piled into the away end amid chaotic celebrations and he’s hungry for more major moments.
Brendan Rodgers (left) with Kelechi Iheanacho(Image: PA)
Iheanacho said: “To be fair, the captain (Callum McGregor) asked if I wanted to take it and I said, ‘Yes’. So he said I could take it.
“It was a massive feeling. Everyone was happy and I could see how happy the fans were and how they felt when they jumped on the pitch. It was a massive win.
“This is the moment that you have to celebrate with the fans because it’s a massive win, a massive three points. I thought it deserves to be celebrated.”
Iheanacho turned down the opportunity to join Celts last January but he’s not looking to the past.
The attacker is just delighted to hook up with his former Foxes boss Rodgers and get his career back on track.
Iheanacho said: “We don’t need to talk about that now! We just need to put that aside and move on for the future.
“Of course, I always wanted to come to Celtic. It’s a massive club and obviously I know the manager as well. It didn’t work at that time, but now I think it’s the right time.
“Obviously I’ve worked with the manager over the years and I’ve taken decisive penalties for him as well as the other clubs I’ve played for.
“He knows me as well, knows I am good on the spot, so he has really big confidence in me.
“He can bring the best out of me as well. I think coming here is really good for me as well, to play under him, to play in this great club. I’ll give my best for the club.”
Iheanacho hooked up with the Hoops squad last week and he’s already convinced there is enough quality in the Parkhead squad to make it a special season.
The Hoops face Partick Thistle in the Premier Sports Cup last eight this weekend before the Europa League opener against Red Star in Belgrade.
Iheanacho insisted he’s fit and raring to go and said: “If you really watch the game, you can see I’m making runs to get the ball. I’m really fit, I’m ready to go for the season.
“Am I ready to play 90 minutes? Of course, you’ll see.
“If you watch the team, you know that there’s a lot of qualities in the team, a lot of great players as well.
“Getting to know the boys, getting to train with them a lot, I think I’ve learned a lot in the last few days.
“Obviously, try to connect with them as well. So I think it will be a great season, I am looking forward to it.
“It’s a good start now and hopefully there will be a lot in the future.”