Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho netted the winning goal as Celtic claimed a 2-1 victory against Hibernian at Easter Road on 4 May 2026, underlining the 29-year-old’s growing influence at the Scottish club since his arrival.
The Super Eagles striker entered the match as a substitute and delivered once again in a decisive moment, a pattern that has become a defining feature of his time in Glasgow. The goal brings his total for the season to seven across all competitions, with previous match-winning contributions recorded against Dundee and St Mirren in recent weeks.
Reflecting on his contribution after the final whistle, Iheanacho described the satisfaction of making an impact from the bench. “I always feel great to come in and help the team to get the win. The whole team is happy, and especially the fans,” he said.
The forward also addressed the tactical challenge posed by Hibernian’s defensive approach, noting the patience required to find a way through. “It’s really important to stay patient. They sit back and wait, so you need to move them around to create space, and in the end, we got our reward,” he explained.
On the finish itself, Iheanacho acknowledged the technical difficulty of the moment. “It was a difficult finish. I wanted to head it at first, but had to chest it and just make sure I got it on target,” he said, before turning his attention to Celtic’s ambitions for the remainder of the campaign. “I’m enjoying it, and the fans are loving every moment. We just need to keep going and hopefully we’ll get the trophy at the end.”
Iheanacho joined Celtic following his departure from Leicester City, where he spent several seasons and was part of the squad during their historic 2015-16 Premier League title triumph. The striker has built a reputation as a reliable impact substitute throughout his career, and that role appears to suit him well under his current setup at Parkhead.
His consistent performances have drawn attention back in Nigeria, with former Super Eagles figures previously calling on coach Eric Chelle to ensure Iheanacho remains central to international plans. With the striker now registering goals regularly at club level, his form strengthens that case ahead of upcoming national team fixtures.
Celtic’s victory over Hibernian keeps the pressure on their title rivals as the Scottish Premiership season enters its final stages, with the club pushing for silverware on multiple fronts.
