Kelechi Iheanacho Lifts Celtic Again as Former Man City Star Shows His Old Magic
Kelechi Iheanacho has once again proven to be Celtic’s clutch performer, delivering a dramatic late winner to secure a 3–2 comeback victory against Motherwell on Wednesday night.
With the Scottish Premiership title race coming down to the wire, Celtic found themselves trailing at Fir Park and in desperate need of a spark.
Kelechi Iheanacho Fires Celtic’s Comeback
Manager Martin O’Neill turned to Iheanacho in the 70th minute, and the Nigerian striker didn’t disappoint—finding the back of the net nine minutes into stoppage time to keep the Hoops’ championship dreams alive heading into the final game of the season.
Iheanacho’s recent form has been nothing short of clinical. After scoring the winner against Hibernian in the previous match, the 29-year-old former Manchester City man is proving that he hasn’t lost his finishing touch.
Key Stats from Iheanacho’s Current Run:
Recent Form: 4 goals in his last 5 matches.
Season Total: 8 goals in 22 appearances across all competitions.
The Impact Factor: 7 of his 8 goals this season have been scored after coming off the bench.
By consistently turning games around in the final minutes, Iheanacho has solidified his reputation as one of the most dangerous impact substitutes in the league, providing Celtic with the momentum they need for the season’s finish.
In a finish destined for Scottish football folklore, Celtic snatched a 3-2 victory over Motherwell through a 99th-minute penalty, keeping their title defense alive.
Celtic’s Title Race Still Alive After Stunning Last-Minute Penalty
The result shifts the championship calculus: instead of needing a three-goal margin on the final day, Celtic now only require a simple win against league leaders Hearts this Saturday to secure the trophy.
The match was a whirlwind of shifting momentum. Motherwell struck first via an Elliot Watt volley, a goal that briefly put Hearts in the driver’s seat for the title.
However, Celtic’s trademark resilience surfaced through Daizen Maeda, who continued his prolific form by smashing an equalizer off the post.
When Benjamin Nygren fired Celtic into the lead with a stunning top-corner strike, the visitors seemed in control, only for Motherwell’s Liam Gordon to level the scoring in the 85th minute after a period of intense pressure.
With the title slipping away, drama peaked in deep stoppage time. Defender Auston Trusty went down in the box, leading to a controversial VAR review.
Referee John Beaton ultimately awarded a penalty for handball, which Kelechi Iheanacho calmly converted amidst chaotic scenes.
The victory leaves Celtic just one point behind Hearts. After a season of relentless drama, the equation is now clear: the winner of the upcoming clash at Celtic Park takes it all.
For Motherwell, the defeat is a stinging blow to their European ambitions despite a valiant performance.
