Iheanacho Eyes Celtic Title in Cup Final

Nigerian international striker Kelechi Iheanacho is targeting his first piece of silverware with Celtic as the Scottish giants face their rivals in a major final on Sunday. The 29-year-old forward is set to participate in the Scottish Cup final showdown against Rangers at the iconic Hampden Park, a high-stakes fixture that offers him a crucial opportunity to add to his trophy cabinet in the Scottish Premier League.

Iheanacho arrives at the final with a history of success in English football, having previously secured a League Cup winner’s medal during his early career with Manchester City. His time at Leicester City also saw him lift the prestigious FA Cup and the FA Community Shield. Despite this impressive collection of laurels, a trophy with Celtic would mark a significant personal achievement, establishing his relevance in a new league and reinforcing his decision to move to Scotland.

The timing of the final is particularly pivotal for the Nigerian, who recently returned to action after a lengthy layoff. Iheanacho was sidelined for approximately two months due to a hamstring injury, a physical setback that halted his early momentum with the Hoops. He made his return in the UEFA Europa League fixture against AS Roma on Thursday, a match that unfortunately resulted in a defeat for Celtic. His availability for the final, therefore, is a major boost, though his match fitness will be a key factor for the technical staff to manage.

The final itself carries immense weight for the entire Celtic squad, who are desperate to reverse a disappointing run of form under their new head coach, Wilfried Nancy. The team has suffered back-to-back defeats in the two matches played under the Frenchman’s tenure, creating an atmosphere of pressure and urgency ahead of the Old Firm clash. A victory in the Scottish Cup would not only deliver the club its 43rd title in the competition—extending a legacy of dominance—but would also provide the crucial, stabilizing win needed to inject confidence into the squad and give the new manager a much-needed morale boost.

Despite their recent struggles, the historical rivalry and the pressure of a final often bring out the best in Celtic. They will draw confidence from their track record against their opponents, knowing they have already demonstrated their superiority over them in earlier rounds of this very competition. For Iheanacho, the final represents more than just a trophy; it is a chance to score a title-winning goal, assert himself as a decisive figure for his new club, and make an immediate, indelible mark on the intense Scottish football scene. The outcome at Hampden Park will either launch the Nancy era with a moment of glory or deepen the early-season unease, with the Nigerian striker playing a key role in which direction the team heads.