When Kyogo Furuhashi left Celtic in January, not even the most negative of Celtic supporters thought the club would be in this current situation.
The Celtic board have always taken verbal hits, but this time around, they managed to outdo themselves, especially with how they have dealt with the striker department.
Just 24 hours after the 2025 summer transfer window slammed shut, Celtic announced the signing of Kelechi Iheanacho as a free agent after his contract at Sevilla was mutually terminated.
It’s a signing that hasn’t gone down well with the Celtic Park supporters because, on top of that, Adam Idah has left for Swansea City in a £7 million deal, and many feel that adequate replacements haven’t come in.
Photo by Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty ImagesStephen O’Donnell’s strong message to the Celtic board after signing Kelechi Iheanacho
That’s £17 million of striker quality that has gone out of the door. How has it been replaced?
A youngster, with zero senior appearances, signing from Fulham (Callum Osmand), and an unknown figure coming in from the J-League (Shin Yamada). On top of Iheanacho.
Speaking on Go Radio, Stephen O’Donnell expressed how that Celtic don’t need to be in positions where they are signing free agents and they have ‘plenty of money’ in the bank to properly enhance the squad.
“From a Celtic perspective, the signings, have they brought in enough quality to replace what left?” questioned O’Donnell. “I don’t think so.
“It’s going to be a tough couple of months for the club to try and get everyone bedded in.
On the Iheanacho signing being a panic: “100%. I don’t think Celtic needs to be in a position to be trying to get free agents. I think Celtic have plenty of money to be spending and getting the people they want in early.
“What I would say would add more restlessness to the Celtic support is that they were disappointed coming out of the Champions League.
“Then followed up by a disappointing performance against Rangers, albeit the result was fine. They are still top of the league.”
Iheanacho’s record under Brendan Rodgers
At the end of the day, Celtic fans will need to get behind Iheanacho because there is another title to win.
Even amongst all this negativity and that borefest of a Glasgow derby, it’s still the champions of Scotland sitting top of the tree.
The positives need to be looked at, and that’s the fact that Rodgers knows Iheanacho’s game very well after he coached him at Leicester City.
- Iheanacho’s games under Rodgers: 143
- Goals: 43
- Assists: 25