Kelechi Iheanacho Scores in Scottish Cup Final as Celtic Complete Domestic Double

Kelechi Iheanacho has ended a five-year wait for a top-flight title by playing a key role in Celtic’s Scottish Cup final triumph, scoring the goal that effectively ended Dunfermline Athletic’s hopes of a comeback in a 3-1 victory at Hampden Park on 23 May 2026.

The 29-year-old Nigerian striker entered the match as a substitute and struck in the 72nd minute to give the Hoops a three-goal cushion. Daizen Maeda had opened the scoring in the 18th minute before Arne Engels doubled the advantage in the 35th minute. Dunfermline, known as the Pars, pulled one back through Josh Cooper in the 79th minute, but by then the result had already been settled.

The cup victory at Hampden Park rounded off a domestic double for Celtic, who had already secured the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership title heading into the final. It represents the most significant silverware Iheanacho has collected since winning the FA Cup with Leicester City, and his first top-flight league medal since the Foxes claimed the Premier League title in 2015/16.

Iheanacho’s path to Glasgow was not straightforward. The forward endured a difficult stint at Sevilla in Spain before joining Middlesbrough on loan in the English Championship. His arrival at Celtic Park was met with measured expectation, but he gradually won over the Parkhead support by contributing decisive moments during the run-in that helped preserve the club’s grip on the Premiership title.

The Super Eagles’ official account on X, formerly Twitter, acknowledged the achievement following the final whistle, posting a message of congratulations to the forward. Nigeria’s national team faces upcoming friendlies against Portugal and Poland, fixtures that have generated discussion around squad selection and the form of players such as Iheanacho heading into the next international window.

For context, Iheanacho previously lifted the FA Cup with Leicester in 2021, but the seasons that followed brought limited silverware and a series of moves that saw his career trajectory questioned. The 2025/26 campaign at Celtic has offered a significant resurgence, with the Scottish domestic double placing him back among the contributing names in his country’s footballing conversation.

Celtic’s domestic double also continues the club’s dominance of Scottish football in recent years, with the Hoops having claimed multiple consecutive Premiership titles. Dunfermline, who had earned their place in the final after their own cup run, will return to preparation for the upcoming season having given a spirited account of themselves in the second half at Hampden.