Europa League: Rodgers praises Iheanacho, highlights Nigerian’s key strength
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has singled out Kelechi Iheanacho for praise after the Nigerian striker scored a crucial equalizer in their UEFA Europa League opener against Crvena zvezda on Wednesday night.
The 28-year-old came off the bench to make an instant impact at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, calmly finishing a well-worked move to secure a 1-1 draw for the Scottish champions.
Speaking after the match, Rodgers described Iheanacho’s strike as “outstanding” and explained why he values the forward’s qualities so highly.
“I thought Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal was outstanding,” Rodgers told TNT Sports, as quoted by the BBC. “We needed someone to play centrally who could hold the ball up and give us a platform. One of Kele’s great strengths is his ability to receive possession, keep it under pressure, and move us further up the pitch. He did exactly that when he came on.”
The Celtic boss admitted his team lacked sharpness in the first half, particularly in the attacking third, and Iheanacho’s introduction helped turn the tide. “I wanted us to be more proactive,” Rodgers said. “We were loose in the first half, but once Kele came on, he gave us a stronger presence and helped us progress into dangerous areas.”
Iheanacho, who joined Celtic as a free agent in the summer after parting ways with Sevilla, has quickly established himself as a fan favorite. His performance in Belgrade further underlined his value to Rodgers’ side, especially in European competition where experience and composure are vital.
The draw leaves Celtic well-positioned in their group, and Rodgers believes Iheanacho’s form could be decisive as the Hoops push for qualification to the knockout rounds.
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