Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho has lifted the Scottish Premiership trophy with Celtic following a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory over Hearts at Parkhead.
In his debut season with the Hoops, the 29-year-old Super Eagles striker played a pivotal role in securing the club’s 56th league title.
Kelecchi Iheanacho’s Impactful Campaign
The final-day matchup was a high-stakes showdown, with Celtic trailing Hearts by a single point.
While Hearts were chasing their first league crown in 66 years, Martin O’Neill’s side needed a definitive victory to successfully defend their championship.
Iheanacho proved to be a lethal weapon off the bench throughout the season, consistently delivering in high-pressure moments.
He concluded his campaign with eight goals in 22 appearances across all competitions, directly securing eight vital points for the Bhoys with match-winning displays against Kilmarnock, Dundee, Hibernian, and Motherwell—including a crucial late penalty in mid-week.
Final-Day Drama at Parkhead
The championship finale delivered intense drama from start to finish:
First Half: Hearts took the lead just before the break through Lawrence Shankland, but Celtic quickly responded when Arne Engels converted a penalty to level the score at 1-1.
Second Half: Iheanacho was introduced at the restart to spark the attack. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 87th minute when Daizen Maeda found the back of the net.
Stoppage Time: Callum Osmand scored deep into injury time to seal the 3-1 victory, igniting widespread celebrations as Celtic officially retained their crown.