Super Eagles and Celtic striker Kelechi Iheanacho was the hero for Martin O'Neill's side in their Scottish Cup semi-final clash against St.Mirren at Hampden Park, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 29-year-old, in recent reports, has aired his displeasure about not starting games for the Record Scottish Champions, but coach Martin O'Neill has been adamant he wants to ease Iheanacho into action, considering he's suffered multiple hamstring injuries this season.
As such, Japanese attacker Daizen Maeda started in the attack and was involved in two goals before Kelechi Iheanacho came off the bench in the 83rd minute.
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Celtic vs St. Mirren: How the game went
Daizen Maeda broke the deadlock at Hampden Park, putting the ball into the back of the net inside one minute.
The 28-year-old pressed St. Mirren's goalkeeper Ryan Mullen after the Scotsman received a passback. The pressure paid off as Mullen's attempt to play the ball out hit Maeda, who guided the ball home to open the floodgates.
Daizen Maeda punishes an early mistake and @CelticFC have the lead inside a minute! 🍀
A moment to forget for Ryan Mullen in the St. Mirren goal 😬#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/x1YdezFqEE
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 19, 2026
Mullen was pulled off in the 15th minute, but that didn't stop the Celts from adding another goal just before half-time, this time, through Anthony Ralston.
Some brilliant play from Sebastian Tounekti freed up space for Hyung-Jun Yang on the right flank, but the South Korean laid the ball back to Ralston with a brilliant backheel, and the onrushing right-back blasted the ball off the underside of the crossbar into the back of the net.
"What a time to get a second!" 🎙️
Anthony Ralston delivers a massive goal on the stroke of half time for @CelticFC 🍀#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/iGUhjJywqJ
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 19, 2026
However, the second half took a completely different turn as Celtic surrendered a two-goal lead, with Mikael Mandron's double putting St. Mirren back in contention.
Kelechi Iheanacho enters the fray
The former Manchester City man came on in the 83rd minute, replacing Yang, but it wasn't until the start of extra-time that the Nigerian imposed himself on the game.
Iheanacho rose highest to head home the game's 5th goal in the 96th minute, putting the ball in from James Forrest's cross to put the Hoops back in front.
James Forrest swung a cross into the box and Kelechi Iheanacho rose to head the ball into the net, giving the Hoops the lead ⚽️
pic.twitter.com/UxzFwiFd6E— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 19, 2026
Luke McCowan scored Celtic's fourth two minutes later, before Kelechi Iheanacho continued the party again in the 101st minute.
The former Leicester City striker confirmed a final spot against Dundee with four minutes left until the end of the first half of extra time, calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net.
🚩 Live: Celtic 5-2 St Mirren
⚽️ Goal: Iheanacho (100') pic.twitter.com/2ry61CqzLP
— Football Xpert (@footballxpert) April 19, 2026
Benjamin Nygren scored the sixth goal for Celtic a minute after Iheanacho's second. Ben O'Hara, under pressure, lost the ball to Maeda, who then drove into the box before squaring the ball for Nygren to put the game to bed.
Celtic will play Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish FA Cup final on the 23rd of May.
