Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho says he is thrilled to join Celtic, describing the Scottish champions as a massive club with a winning culture and expressing his eagerness to reunite with Brendan Rodgers and former teammate Kasper Schmeichel.
Iheanacho joined Celtic on a one-year deal, with an option for a further year after his contract was mutually terminated by La Liga side Sevilla. Since then, he has resumed training with the club ahead of his highly-anticipated debut against Kilmarnock on Sunday, September 14.
Speaking with Celtic TV, Iheanacho shared his delight after completing his first training session: “It (training) was lovely, it’s a group of good lads, I enjoyed it to be fair. I think I can fit in on the pitch and off the pitch. I think it would be good. Obviously some other guys are not back from the International break, but they are lovely guys.”
Iheanacho’s move to Celtic reunites him not only with head coach Brendan Rodgers but also with goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, his former teammate in Leicester City’s FA Cup-winning side.
“Obviously I know Kasper Schmeichel, he is a good friend and I played with him for a few years,” Iheanacho said. “He’s a funny guy, a lovely guy, and he is a great leader as well. Hopefully when he is back, I’ll get to see him.”
The Nigerian striker highlighted Brendan Rodgers’ significant influence on his career and expressed excitement at the prospect of working with him again: “He has been massively important to my career. He looked after me for a while when I was in Leicester, gave me the opportunity to show my talent, help the team and win trophies so he is a great manager and a great person.”
“I’m happy to play for him again and I’m happy to be a Celtic player and to play for this great club,” he added.
Iheanacho praised Celtic’s winning culture, noting the club’s long history of success and his desire to contribute to it: “When I came in here, I saw the trophies they’ve won and it’s a lot. It looks like it is something normal for the club. They are used to winning trophies, they are comfortable doing that, so hopefully I can be a part of that.”
The 28-year-old underlined his readiness to embrace the challenge at Celtic, stressing the hard work required to match the club’s tradition of consistent success.
“To win something, you need to work your socks off. They have done it over the years, every single year they keep winning. So it’s a massive club and a massive city. I’m ready, I have always been ready since the day I started playing football.”
