Kelechi Iheanacho says he’s always admired James Forrest and enjoyed Glasgow life as Celtic push on after a tough patch of close games.
Kelechi Iheanacho’s journey at Celtic has been anything but simple, but in Glasgow he now sounds genuinely settled—on and off the pitch.
The striker. who arrived last summer after the transfer window closure. has spoken candidly about why he’s fallen for the club culture again and again—especially through the players who helped define it.. In a Celtic TV interview ahead of today’s match against Falkirk. Iheanacho reflected on following Celtic “over the years” and said his admiration for a specific figure in green and white dates back a long time.
A longtime love for James Forrest
For Iheanacho, James Forrest isn’t just a name from the past.. He described a connection that formed while watching Celtic from afar. saying he “always loved” Forrest “for a long. long time.” The message was clear: Forrest was the type of player Iheanacho valued as a footballer. not simply as a teammate.
He also framed his love for Celtic as something deeper than current results. “I think I always loved Celtic,” he said, explaining that the club has stayed present in his football life long before he ever walked into training at Lennoxtown.
That admiration matters because it suggests Iheanacho isn’t approaching the season as a short-term project. He’s portraying himself as someone who understands what Celtic supporters expect—effort, identity, and a certain kind of belief—because he grew up absorbing it.
Where Efe Ambrose fits in
The striker’s thoughts also touched Efe Ambrose. described as one of the younger players who played for Celtic in a way that stayed with him.. While Iheanacho’s praise for Forrest sounded personal and almost nostalgic. his mention of Ambrose added context: it’s not only about legendary figures. but about the pathway of players who wear the shirt and become part of the club’s story.
In a squad built on continuity—between academy talent, established pros, and late-window additions—comments like these can signal alignment. They suggest Iheanacho is comfortable with the club’s internal rhythm: integrate quickly, learn the standards, and contribute with the right mindset.
Winning through pressure: Iheanacho’s mindset
Iheanacho’s tone then shifted from admiration to the present day. He spoke about the season and the general feeling among the group, describing a campaign where momentum can be fragile and results are sometimes decided late.
He acknowledged that it has been “a bit tough at the moment. ” pointing to a pattern where Celtic find ways to win in the closing stages.. Then came a human line—half joke. half honesty—about avoiding panic. as if the pressure of tight games is something he and the squad have to manage emotionally. not just tactically.
His core message, though, is straightforward: the most important thing is to win a match, and that’s what the team is doing at the moment. He spoke about hoping that continues—so the mood stays positive and the smiles at the end of games aren’t just relief, but habit.
The reality behind the goals
On the numbers side, Iheanacho has scored six goals since arriving in Glasgow on a free transfer. Those goals are significant, but he also suggested the margin between “could have” and “did” isn’t far away. He indicated that he might have scored more if he’d been able to play more matches.
That matters because it speaks to a tension many fans recognize: Celtic’s season isn’t just about how many times the team scores, but how consistently they can deploy a striker who offers impact. Iheanacho’s presence is clearly valued, yet his route to match rhythm hasn’t been smooth.
He has also yet to start a game for Celtic since the Premier Sports Cup final under Wilfried Nancy. in which he suffered an injury.. Even without going into details. it’s easy to read what this implies: his contribution has been shaped by recovery. timing. and how the coaching staff has managed his role since that setback.
Why this matters for Celtic fans now
Celtic supporters will likely see two themes in Iheanacho’s comments. First is belonging—he isn’t pretending he’s unfamiliar with Celtic’s traditions. Second is pragmatism—he’s focused on the job of producing points, even when the process feels uncomfortable.
For a club where performances are often judged on both trophies and temperament, his words land as reassurance. They don’t deny that games have been stressful; instead, they frame stress as something to manage, then overcome.
Looking ahead, the most important question is whether Iheanacho can convert his admiration and momentum into consistent starting opportunities.. If he stays healthy and continues to find ways to influence matches. Celtic won’t just gain goals—they’ll gain stability in how the team finishes games. particularly when the margin gets thin.
That’s the real storyline bubbling under the surface: not only that Iheanacho has found his place, but that he’s trying to turn late-game pressure into late-game confidence.