GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 11: Celtic huddle ahead of kick off during the William Hill Premiership between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on April 11, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill is still hoping to strike a deal for Celtic to resign Kelechi Iheanacho.
That was the news from Anthony Joseph, likely to be cased on quotes from O’Neill following Celtic’s draw with Shelbourne on Tuesday night.
At 6pm on Wednesday the newspapers that attended the match released quotes from the Celtic boss.
Iheanacho was signed in September as a free agent by Brendan Rodgers after Shin Yamada was the only striker signed by Celtic during the summer window.
Fitness was an issue throughout for the former Leicester City striker.
Only once did he play a full 90 minutes but coming off the bench his contribution was vital.
CELTIC’S DEBT TO THE GOALS OF IHEANACHO
Celtic finished the season with seven successive victories. Away to Dundee, Hibs and Motherwell Iheanacho came off the bench to score the winning goals.
In the Scottish Cup Final on May 23 Iheanacho signed off with a stylish goal in the 3-1 win over Dunfermline.
Celtic started pre-season training on June 27 without Iheanacho. He was missing from the 22 that played against Shelbourne.
In Portugal today the Celtic squad will step up their preparations with no new signings from last season.
Why was this not done weeks ago ?
You couldn’t make this up, who is actually running Celtic? Cause they haven’t got a clue
— ¯\_(?)_/” ???? (@Azz_caz_) July 8, 2026
It is almost seven weeks since the Scottish Cup Final with Celtic unable to agree a deal with a key figure from last season.
There could be a multitude of reasons for a new deal not being struck.
But by this stage many fans would think that the club should move on to sign their next transfer target.
If a deal can’t be struck with Iheanacho it doesn’t bode well for getting other transfers concluded.
With no selling club involved the deal for the former Manchester City striker should be easier than most.
O’Neill also revealed that he was hoping to get another deal completed to bring back Marcelo Saracchi.
Sloooooooooooooooooowwwwwww-ths of The Celtic Board !