Keith Wyness swipes at Kelechi Iheanacho 'suddenly' performing with new Celtic deal on the line
Celtic's fanbase could have no complaints if the club were to reward Kelechi Iheanacho with a contract extension.
That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, with the striker's current deal expiring in the summer.
Signed as a free agent after the summer transfer window had ended, Iheanacho has scored match-winning goals against Dundee and Hibernian in recent weeks to keep Celtic's title hopes alive.
The 29-year-old's arrival was seen as desperate from the club, but the Nigerian is fast becoming a fan favourite and the most reliable of Celtic's forwards in front of goal.
Iheanacho's future at Celtic may not be decided until the summer, when the club will hope to have appointed their next permanent manager.
Kelechi Iheanacho to play 'big part' in Scottish Premiership title finale
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs - believes Iheanacho is a "prime case" of a player playing for a new deal.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks the striker "deserves" to stay at Celtic Park if he keeps scoring goals.
| Appearances | 10 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Shots | 19 |
| Chances Created | 5 |
| Duels Won % | 35.3% |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: "The fans would accept Iheanacho getting to exercise that one-year option.
"It's so funny when players do come good when that contract situation is up. I've seen it so many times in my career. You wonder where this player has been and all of a sudden he puts it together for five or six games and this is a prime case and good luck to him.
"Celtic have still got a very good chance to win the league, and so he will be a big part of that and there should be a reward for a player who plays a big role in that sort of thing.
"These are big games, and he's turning up on the big occasion, so in that sense he deserves it.”
Celtic linked with move for Championship defender
As well as bolstering their strike force in the summer transfer window, Celtic could be looking at adding extra defensive stability to their ranks.
Sources have told Football Insider that West Brom centre-back George Campbell is interested in moving to Celtic.
The 24-year-old could have multiple offers to consider in the transfer market, from Championship rivals to the Bundesliga.
Campbell is contracted to West Brom until 2028, and played a key role in the Baggies maintaining their Championship status this season, starting 33 of their 46 games.