'Will be disappointed' - Celtic coach backs Iheanacho to bounce back after misses against Hibs

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has backed Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho to rediscover his scoring touch after the forward missed key chances in the club’s goalless draw with Hibernian on Saturday.

Iheanacho, who joined Celtic as a free agent this summer, was handed his first start in the league at Celtic Park after impressing with goals and an assist in his opening three matches across all competitions.

The 28-year-old came close to breaking the deadlock in the 21st minute when his left-footed strike rattled the woodwork following a cross from Daizen Maeda.

In the second half, Iheanacho thought he had opened the scoring for the Scottish champions, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

Rodgers admitted after the game that the Nigerian international would be frustrated with his finishing but praised his overall contribution to the team.

"Kels will probably be disappointed he didn't score maybe a couple of goals but that's a reference point to the team," Rodgers told reporters after the game.  

"And maybe his touch and everything else. He was good and that would be good for him."

Iheanacho was substituted in the 67th minute for Swedish striker Benjamin Nygren, as Celtic pushed for a late winner that never came.

With Celtic set to face Portuguese side Braga in the UEFA Europa League next week, Rodgers will hope Iheanacho can quickly put the missed opportunities behind him and return to scoring form.

Adeyemi Adewale

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