(Credit: Manh Tung, Football Insider)

Ciaran Morrison

Fri 24 April 2026 17:15, UK

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Kelechi Iheanacho’s form at Celtic is giving the striker the chance to earn a new deal at the Glasgow club.

That is the view of former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, as Iheanacho’s one-year deal expires at the end of the season.

The 29-year-old’s time at Celtic has been disrupted by injuries, but his return to fitness has seen him score three goals in the past four games.

Signed under Brendan Rodgers, Iheanacho has since played under Wilfried Nancy and Martin O’Neill at Celtic, and faces another managerial change if he was to stay at the club next season.

Iheanacho’s future at Celtic is likely to be decided by whoever the club appoint as their next permanent manager, with interim boss O’Neill stepping down in the summer.

Next Celtic manager to be ‘crucial’ in Kelechi Iheanacho decision

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 – is not surprised by Iheanacho’s upturn in form.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness believes the Nigerian could have been rewarded with a new contract by now if Celtic had a permanent manager in place.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “If Iheanacho finishes the season strong, then he may get the option on his one-year option taken up.

“Guess what? He’s a player playing for an option, and he’s performing. Isn’t that surprising? How many times have I seen players when their contract situation is up, suddenly putting in a spurt, and he’s doing it, and he’s scoring some crucial goals.

“Celtic will remember that. Now the interesting thing is, if you bring in a new manager of that quality like Roberto Martinez, will he not have a say in these sorts of things quickly? So they may want to pause and wait until there is a new manager appointed or at least close to being appointed, then ask for his opinion.

“That’s going to be pretty crucial and in key positions like that you really need a new manager to start putting his imprint on the squad. He may have other thoughts, but certainly Iheanacho is giving himself a chance to get that one-year option taken up.

“That manager move may be the only impediment as to getting it done now because he seems to be turning it on, on the pitch.”

Roberto Martinez move hinges on Celtic proposal

Celtic’s hopes of luring Portugal manager Roberto Martinez to the club will depend on the ambitions of the board.

Sources told Football Insider that Celtic would have to offer a big contract to Martinez to convince him to return to club management after this summer’s World Cup.

Martinez’s contract as Portugal manager expires after the tournament, and the 52-year-old’s experience will be of interest to many clubs.

The Spaniard has vast Premier League experience with Wigan and Everton, whilst he managed Belgium before taking on the Portugal role in 2023.