Super Eagles<\/a> striker Kelechi Iheanacho scored his first goal in half a year yesterday after coming off the bench on his debut for Celtic<\/a> in their 2-1 win over Kilmarnock, Soccernet.ng reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n The former Leicester City man came off the bench with 20 minutes left to play. A VAR check went in Celtic’s favour after the ball deflected off the arm of a Kilmarnock defender.<\/p>\n Up stepped Iheanacho to dispatch the spot kick<\/a> with vim and send the crowd wild. After expressing his delight at a great start to life<\/a> with the Hoops, his manager, Brendan Rodgers, had nothing but good things to say about the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner.<\/p>\n Get Our Sports News First \u2013\u00a0Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The pair worked together at the King Power Stadium in the English Premier League, winning the 2021 FA Cup and FA Community Shield with Leicester City.<\/p>\n The former Liverpool manager wants to ease Iheanacho into life at Celtic, as he’s sure the 28-year-old still has a lot to offer at the top level.<\/p>\n \u201cI was really pleased with Kels. I think the last penalty he took was for me at Wembley, when we beat Manchester City in the Community Shield, and that was another big moment there,\u201d the 52-year-old said in quotes revealed by the Daily Record<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cI think that’s a big moment for him, with the supporters and everything else. We got the penalty, but he’s still got to score it, and he did that, and we took the win.<\/p>\n \u201cThere’s no doubt he\u2019s got big moments in him, and once he gets fitter, he’s only going to get better.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, our penalty taker has been off the pitch. I think Benji Nygren wanted the penalty and had the confidence, which is great, but my message was for Kels.<\/p>\n \u201cI know what he brings, I know the confidence he brings, and I also know what a goal will do for him.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m delighted for him and for the team in particular, because it’s been a long couple of weeks, but it’s a big win for us,\u201d the Celtic gaffer concluded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Iheanacho will be looking for his first start next weekend when Celtic travels for a League Cup clash against Partick Thistle.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/M2mrGiu0A1uBt24GdcjbsA8Q-sk=\/1024x760\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fsoccernet.ng%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F09%2Fimago1055648240.jpg\")
Soccer Rodgers<\/a> to continually assess Iheanacho<\/a><\/h2>\n
\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/D1yTgbaul09BpZskcir4vrPuMpk=\/1024x640\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fsoccernet.ng%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F09%2Fimago1066441120.jpg\")
\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/EijJrefMqktIckhp5u7EeiWUnaU=\/1024x640\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fsoccernet.ng%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F09%2Fimago1066441123.jpg\")