Kelechi Iheanacho: Celtic exit looms as Brazilian club turn down Nigerian striker

Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho is edging closer to a Celtic exit just nine months after joining the Record Scottish Premiership Champions, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 29-year-old's career at Parkhead has been a tale of two opposing ends. After a larger than life start in his first few months with the Hoops, hamstring injuries came in, and saw him complete just two 90-minute games in his time at the club.

His minutes became measured when the legendary Martin O'Neill took over as head coach in the second half of the season, and he found joy in being an option to change game off the bench for Celtic.

While he scored six goals in nine games in the run-in for the league title, the former Manchester City striker showed he was clearly pressed about his future, with O'Neill revealing the questions he faced severally from the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner.

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Given the uncertainty regarding his future, the 74-year-old, back in May, revealed he can’t assure Iheanacho of a place in the team ahead of next season.

“Iheanacho keeps asking me! ‘What do you think, are they going to keep me on?’” the former Nottingham Forest coach told the Scotsman.

“I have no idea, mate. Don’t ask me, I am not the manager anymore. This morning again he stopped me in the lift. ‘Are you staying on?’ I have no idea, can you just concentrate on the game this afternoon!”

Iheanacho's Celtic future in doubt following Vasco da Gama links

Iheanacho initially signed for Celtic on a one-year deal, although the club have the option to extend for another year. Whether or not it’ll be triggered is currently unknown.

According to the Daily Record, the former Leicester City striker's representatives have begun exploring alternative options in the transfer market, with Brazilian outlet Atenção Vascaínos confirming that he was offered to Vasco da Gama.

However, the four-time Brazilian Champions declined the proposition, adding a fresh layer of complexity to the future of striker.

Celtic's reluctance to make a swift decision on Iheanacho's future has forced the striker to start considering life away from Scotland, but a U-turn could be made in the following weeks with interest coming from the English Premier League for Daizen Maeda.