Super Eagles and Celtic forward Kelechi Iheanacho has addressed reports regarding his weight and a failed loan spell to the Hoops back in January, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 28-year-old scored a penalty in his first game for Brendan Rodgers' side against Kilmarnock, coming off the bench to seal a 2-1 win.
Speaking after the game, the former Leicester City forward revealed it was a massive opportunity to join Celtic, and show his quality at Rugby Park.
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However, Iheanacho's goal last weekend was his first in over six months as he only found the back of the net once in his time at Middlesbrough after he joined Michael Carrick's side on loan in February.
Before that, he didn't find the back of the net in nine league appearances for Sevilla. Reflecting on the criticism he faced at that time, the former Manchester City attacker mentioned it's a part of the job.
“As a football player, you get this all the time [criticism],” the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner said in quotes revealed by Gazette Live UK.
“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.”
Iheanacho addresses overweight concerns
Before joining Middlesbrough in February, the Nigerian forward was linked with a move to Celtic. Still, concerns over his weight were raised, a topic that had also been a constant talking point during his time at Boro, where many fans believed he arrived on Teesside looking out of shape.
Despite many social media posts showing him training hard privately, he never looked like he got himself up to speed.
Kelechi Iheanacho working hard over the international break. pic.twitter.com/qHS8HPtCt5
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) March 25, 2025
“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 are 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.”
Quizzed about why he turned Celtic down during the winter break and headed to Middlesbrough instead, Seniorman said;
“We don't need to talk about that now! We just need to put that aside and move on to 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 concluded.
