'He can play' - Celtic captain hails Iheanacho after impressive start at the Hoops

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has praised Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho for his immediate impact at the Scottish club following his arrival a day after the close of the summer transfer window.

Iheanacho has already made an impression, scoring against Kilmarnock and Crvena Zvezda, and providing an assist in Celtic's away win against Partick Thistle.

McGregor admitted he was struck by Iheanacho’s quality from the outset.

"I think the first time I saw him, you know, you can just tell by the way someone hits the ball—you think, ‘Right, he can play.’ He’s got a big pedigree," he said, as quoted by Glasgow Times.

Despite having limited game time at previous clubs, Iheanacho’s professionalism and work ethic have impressed his new teammates.

"The reason we’ve got him is probably because he’s lacking a bit of game time and just needs to get up to speed. The good thing is, he’s come in and his attitude’s been amazing," McGregor added.

The Celtic midfielder also highlighted the importance of timing and strategic signings in building a successful squad.

"Good business comes in many forms. You don’t always need to pay big money for good players—it’s about getting them at the right time and getting them hungry," he explained.

Iheanacho will be aiming to maintain his strong form with a view to earning a recall to the Nigerian national team.

Having missed recent Super Eagles matches due to limited playing time at his previous clubs, he is expected to be considered for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin Republic.

Wale Adejumo

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