Iheanacho Inspires Celtic To Scottish Premiership Triumph

According to Ireporter Online, Kelechi Iheanacho capped off a remarkable debut season with Celtic as the Glasgow giants staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Hearts 3-1 and secure the Scottish Premiership title at Celtic Park.

Celtic entered the final day of the campaign knowing that only victory would be enough to overtake Hearts at the top of the table. However, the visitors struck first, with Lawrence Shankland heading home from a Stephen Kingsley corner just before half-time to silence the home crowd.

The hosts responded in first-half stoppage time when Arne Engels calmly converted from the penalty spot after Kieran Tierney’s cross was adjudged to have struck the arm of Alexandros Kyziridis. The equaliser set up a tense and tightly contested second half.

With the title race hanging in the balance, Celtic turned the game around late on. Daizen Maeda finished off a Callum Osmand delivery three minutes from time, although the goal was initially ruled out for offside before a VAR review overturned the decision, sparking wild celebrations inside the stadium.

Osmand then sealed the victory in stoppage time, racing from his own half to score into an empty net after Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow had pushed forward in search of a late equaliser. The final whistle triggered jubilant scenes as Celtic secured their 14th league title in 15 seasons and a fifth consecutive championship, moving ahead of Rangers with a record 56 Scottish top-flight titles.

Iheanacho, introduced from the bench, played a decisive supporting role in the closing stages, striking the post and helping maintain pressure that led to Celtic’s late breakthrough. The Nigerian forward concluded the season with eight goals in 22 appearances despite injury setbacks, contributing crucial points in the title race, including a late penalty winner against Motherwell that kept Celtic’s hopes alive.

Interim manager Martin O’Neill guided the club to the championship, marking his fourth league title with Celtic and his first since 2005 after stabilising the team during a challenging campaign.

Attention now shifts to the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic at Hampden Park, where Celtic will aim to complete a domestic double. Iheanacho has also confirmed that discussions regarding his future will take place after the season, with his influential performances potentially strengthening his standing at the club.