Stiliyan Petrov Urges Celtic to Move On From Kelechi Iheanacho Despite Scottish Premiership Title Heroics

Kelechi Iheanacho played a meaningful role in Celtic’s Scottish Premiership title triumph this season, yet a prominent voice from the club’s past believes the 29-year-old Super Eagles forward should not be offered a new deal when his short-term contract expires in June.

Stiliyan Petrov, who represented both Celtic and Aston Villa during his playing career, made his position clear on the Scottish Football Social Club podcast, stating that Celtic require a striker with greater physical attributes and availability than Iheanacho has demonstrated. “Unfortunately, you need a striker who can compete all season. Who is ready, who is mobile,” Petrov said.

Celtic secured their 56th league championship with a 3-1 win over Hearts, a result that capped a strong finish to the domestic campaign. Iheanacho was a significant contributor in that run-in, repeatedly coming off the bench to influence outcomes in post-split fixtures, including scoring a crucial winner against Motherwell in the penultimate match of the season.

Despite those interventions, Petrov argued that a club of Celtic’s standing demands more than a player whose season was repeatedly interrupted by injury. “He’s done so well but for me, what Celtic stands for, they have to go for something different, someone more powerful, with more speed and mobility,” Petrov added. “Unfortunately, in big clubs, that’s the way it is. You have to go for what you think is right for the club and for me, I don’t think it’s natural. It isn’t the answer for the future.”

Iheanacho joined Celtic on a short-term basis after departing Sevilla, where he had struggled for consistent playing time. Prior to his move to Spain, the Nigerian international spent the majority of his career in England with Manchester City and Leicester City, winning the FA Cup with the Foxes in 2021. His time in Scotland has been productive when fit, but persistent fitness concerns have limited his overall contribution across the full campaign.

The upcoming Scottish Cup Final against Dunfermline Athletic presents Celtic with the chance to complete a domestic double — a possibility that appeared unlikely at various points during the season. The fixture could also serve as Iheanacho’s final appearance for the club, given his contract situation and the uncertainty surrounding his future.

Should Celtic pursue a new striker in the summer transfer window, as Petrov recommends, the club would be seeking a profile that offers greater durability and physical presence than Iheanacho has provided. The Scottish Premiership title win will strengthen Celtic’s position heading into transfer negotiations, and the club’s recruitment will be closely watched as the window approaches.

Iheanacho, who has earned over 50 caps for Nigeria, remains a figure of interest at international level and his performances for the Super Eagles could influence potential suitors ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, for which Nigeria are among the African qualifiers.