MOTHERWELL, SCOTLAND - MAY 13: Celtic's Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates at full time during a William Hill Premiership match between Motherwell and Celtic at Fir Park, on May 13, 2026, in Motherwell, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)
It was only against Batman Petrol yesterday but Kelechi Iheanacho added another double to keep Bursanspor in top place in League One.
After dropping down the divisions Bursanspor are on their way back to the Turkish Superlig led by the goals of the former Celtic striker. Eleven goals scored in eight games for Iheacho, scoring in every match as well as providing three assists.
The First Division is the second tier of Turkish football, it could be compared to 75% of the teams in the SPFL Premiership.
Known clubs like Sivasspor and Antalyaspor would be confident of beating Hibs or Aberdeen in a European tie.
Celtic had Iheanacho in the door for nine months.
Fitness was clearly an issue but it seems that all is well at Bursanspor, perhaps Celtic should sign up the fitness and conditioning department of the Turkish side.
Iheamacho has played 90 minutes in five of their eight league matches. He has played 86, 83 and 74 minutes in the other three.
THE FITNESS ISSUES OF IHEANACHO AT CELTIC
Clearly the fitness issues were specific to Celtic.
Last season he lasted 4 minutes of the match against Sturm Graz on October 23.
After a second half against Roma he started the League Cup Final against St Mirren on December 14. Iheancho was substituted after 35 minutes, not to play again until a 20 minute run on January 29.
? Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up once again, bagging two goals to secure the win for his side.
?? 10 Goals
?? 2 Assistspic.twitter.com/ERlgbifay6— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) September 19, 2026
Based on those playing minutes the message put out by Celtic was that at the age of 29 Iheanacho was done. A spent force on the slippery slope.
Celtic did Celtic things over a new contract.
Iheanacho was offered half the wage that he was on last season.
When his agent came up with a decent offer from Bursanspor the Celtic messengers claimed that he was demanding £50,000 a week.
It became so ridiculous that the Bursanspor CEO had to correct the lies coming out of Scotland.
If Bursanspor were paying Iheanacho £50,000 a week they’d be swamped by every agent in the game looking for a slice of the cake.
Iheanacho is just another example of the issues at Celtic.
A club that chooses to wind down, that doesn’t attempt to punch its weight.
Or as Ross Desmond puts it, swings and misses.
THE FAILED CELTIC RECRUITMENT MODEL
Closer to home Johnny Kenny scored twice yesterday for Preston away to QPR.
Stephen Welsh and Adam Idah are with Swansea at the top of the Championship.
Meanwhile Celtic signed six players in the 36 hours before the UEFA transfer window closed.
Only Joel van den Berg was signed on a permanent basis
While Iheanacho averages over 80 minutes per match with Bursanspor Celtic fans are still waiting for a glimpse of the young Dutch midfielder.
The only thing that will concern Nicholson will be the January fee that Bursanspor rake in for their star striker. At this rate there will be English Championship sides offering £8-10m for Iheanacho alongside a nice hike in wages.
What should Celtic Fans Collective do with Not Another Penny?
CONTINUE- This is the main way to protest
SUSPEND- Let us see what Celtic Connect produces
ABANDON- No longer required or useful
That’s what happens when a CEO like Lucan picks the team signings…
But he seen daddy Lawwell purchase Shved and all of that !