Martin O’Neill had given an update on Kelechi Iheanacho after the striker missed out on the squad to face Rangers last weekend.
Speaking to The Celtic Way, O’Neill said:
“I don’t think he’s played that much during the course of the season, to tell you the truth.
But I think he’s got a good ability to hold it up. It’s just in terms of full fitness and things, that’s a bit of a concern.
It is possible [that he could feature against Aberdeen]. When I finish here, we’ve just finished the training, so I’ll just go and see how people are at this minute.
But yes, anything’s possible. The way we played first half (against Rangers), anything is possible.”
Since joining the club in the summer as a free agent, Iheanacho hasn’t managed to secure a regular spot on the team sheet. Coming in and out of the squad is always difficult, and even though he has bagged some goals, it hasn’t been enough for managers to trust him up front.
O’Neill didn’t rule out his return though, and with every player having a part to play from now until the end of the season, it’s going to be interesting to see if the striker can win some gametime.
He’ll be keen to get a run in the team as his contract is set to expire at the end of the season. Celtic have the option to extend it for a year, but as things stand, it seems unlikely that the club will trigger that option.
Down but not out
It seems that it isn’t ability that is the concern with Iheanacho, but rather, his fitness.
There is a player in there for the Hoops, but time is running out to bring the true version of him out before he leaves for good.
If he does start at Pittodrie, he could maybe win his chance for the cup derby at Ibrox this weekend. O’Neill seemed reluctant to play Tomas Cvancara for that one, instead opting to move Daizen Maeda to a central position, so could Iheanacho be the option that he is looking for?
Maybe, but questions remain over what has been happening with the striker. If we take O’Neill’s words at face value, it would seem that he genuinely has just struggled with fitness, but it raises the question as to why Iheanacho was spotted training in Manchester on the day of Celtic’s 2-2 draw against Rangers.
Some have suggested that he was undergoing specialist training over that weekend, so let’s hope it’s as simple as that and not a bigger indication of the state of affairs surrounding the player.