Kelechi Iheanacho’s revival at Celtic has caught the attention of Nigerian football figures, with former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju making a public case for the striker’s return to the national team setup under head coach Eric Chelle.
The former Leicester City forward has been in sharp form in Scotland, accumulating six goals in 16 appearances. His most prominent contribution came at Hampden Park, where he entered from the bench during a Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren and scored twice as Celtic orchestrated a stunning turnaround. With the match level at 2-2 deep into extra time, Celtic struck four times in a six-minute spell to seal their place in the final, with Iheanacho’s clinical brace at the centre of the collapse.
The performance carried added significance given what preceded it. Iheanacho had endured a six-month goal drought before ending the barren run with a decisive strike against Dundee in the weeks prior. That goal, and his subsequent output, has signalled a meaningful upturn after a difficult spell at club level.
Adepoju, who earned widespread recognition during his playing career and is commonly referred to as “The Headmaster,” addressed Iheanacho’s situation in an exclusive interview, drawing a clear line between current form and international eligibility.
“Kelechi has always been a very good player and a good scorer. I’m happy that he is coming back and doing very well at Celtic. La Liga and the Scottish league are different, but it’s not easy playing there. There are strong teams and real competition,” Adepoju said.
“Experience matters. If he continues performing and proves himself, he can come back. He still has that ability,” he added.
Adepoju’s comments reflect a broader conversation within Nigerian football circles about the balance between emerging talent and experienced players in the Super Eagles squad. Iheanacho, who built his reputation across years in the English Premier League with Leicester City and Manchester City, brings a level of big-match experience that younger attackers in the national team pool are still developing.
The 29-year-old joined Celtic on a permanent basis after his departure from Leicester City following the club’s relegation from the Premier League. His early period in Scotland was marked by inconsistency, but the recent run of form has repositioned him as a credible option for coach Chelle as Nigeria prepare for the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Nigeria are currently navigating the final stages of African World Cup qualification, making squad depth and in-form strikers a pressing concern for Chelle’s technical staff. Whether Iheanacho’s club form translates into a national team recall remains to be seen, but Adepoju’s endorsement adds weight to the argument that the striker’s experience and renewed sharpness warrant serious consideration.
