Iheanacho Marks Celtic Debut with Dramatic.Score in Victory Over Kilmarnock
Iheanacho Marks Celtic Debut with Dramatic.Score in Victory Over Kilmarnock
Kelechi Iheanacho marked his Celtic debut with a stoppage-time penalty to seal a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock on Sunday, lifting the Scottish champions back to the top of the Premiership table.
The Nigerian forward, who joined the Glasgow giants during the summer transfer window, showed nerves of steel as he converted from the spot deep into added time, capping a dramatic afternoon at Rugby Park.
The match was played against a backdrop of supporter unrest, with sections of the Celtic fanbase staging a 12-minute boycott at the start of the game.
The protest was aimed at the club’s failure to strengthen the squad sufficiently and their early Champions League elimination at the hands of Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty.
Daizen Maeda opened the scoring midway through the first half, heading home a superb cross from Marcelo Saracchi to ease some of the tension in the stands.
However, Kilmarnock fought back after the interval, grabbing an equaliser that threatened to deny Brendan Rodgers’ side crucial points in the title race.
Just when it seemed the hosts would hold on for a draw, Celtic were awarded a late penalty, which Iheanacho confidently dispatched to spark wild celebrations among the visiting supporters.
The victory not only restored Celtic to the top of the Premiership standings but also provided a timely boost for Rodgers’ men as they look to steady their season following a rocky start in Europe.
Iheanacho’s match-winning debut is expected to endear him quickly to the Parkhead faithful, with the striker tipped to play a pivotal role in Celtic’s domestic campaign.
