Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has delivered a blunt assessment of Super Eagles star Kelechi Iheanacho after the forward's latest outing for Celtic, Soccernet.ng reports.
Sutton, who scored 63 league goals across six seasons for Celtic, described parts of Iheanacho's performance as ‘downright lazy' following the damaging defeat to Dundee United.
The Nigerian forward came under heavy scrutiny after Celtic’s 2-0 loss on March 22, a result that has deepened concerns about the club’s faltering title challenge. Iheanacho, who was making his first start since December after struggling with a recurring hamstring injury, appeared short of match sharpness and failed to make a strong impression before being substituted.
Sutton, speaking on the Record Celtic podcast as per 67Hailhail, did not hold back in his criticism.
“It just shows you what a mess, what a muddle Celtic are in. And that’s not ideal. I’ve seen a lot of stuff online, people saying, well, he’s our best striker, Iheanacho.
“But I still think he’s miles off it. I think he does some good things in terms of his link up is OK at times. But I think there were times, and having played that position, I do know a little bit about sending a forward play, I think there were times in the first half where he was just downright lazy.
“And he didn’t work hard enough when balls were being played forward to actually get in a position where he could even be challenging for a ball and a knock down.
“I think maybe fatigue had something to do with that. But it’s been the story of Celtic season in the final third.”
Sutton’s remarks come from a growing frustration around Celtic’s attacking struggles. Iheanacho was brought in to add strength and presence up front, but he has found it difficult to build rhythm. Injuries and a lack of a full pre-season have limited his impact, with the striker managing just three goals in 15 appearances across all competitions so far.
Despite the criticism, manager Martin O'Neill defended his decision to start Iheanacho, explaining that the plan was to use his ability to hold up the ball on a difficult pitch. However, even the manager admitted the forward was not expected to last the full match, especially with concerns about his fitness.
Bonner backs Super Eagles star Iheanacho
While Sutton questioned Iheanacho’s effort, former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner offered a different view, shifting the focus away from the striker and onto the team’s tactical approach.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Bonner argued that Iheanacho was not properly supported by the system around him.
“Yeah, just going back to Iheanacho up front, surely he would have peeled on to one or the other [Dundee United defenders], especially on the left side, the centre back, rather than up against Ross Graham.
“Get the goalkeeper to play it almost down the sides or down into those wider areas. Everything was straight up the middle and Ross Graham just outjumped him every single time, especially in the first half.
“I think the only good chance, where he manufactured himself, where it would have run down the side. But that was a different type of pass and a different type of situation on the pitch.
“But from the back to front, it was that type of game today where you had to play the ball long, but Celtic don’t have an idea of how to play it long and get the best out of him.”
Bonner’s analysis highlights a wider issue within Celtic’s play. According to him, the team’s predictable, direct approach made life easier for Dundee United’s defenders and did not suit Iheanacho’s strengths. Rather than working the ball into wide areas or varying their attacking patterns, Celtic repeatedly played straight through the middle, where the striker was outmuscled and isolated.
The defeat has left Celtic in a difficult position in the Scottish Premiership title race. They now sit third, five points behind leaders Heart of Midlothian, with Rangers FC also ahead of them in second place. With just seven matches remaining, their margin for error is now very small.
