Speculation arises regarding Kelechi Iheanacho’s future with Celtic.

There is still no official confirmation regarding Kelechi Iheanacho’s long-term future at Celtic, but fresh speculation continues to suggest the Nigerian striker could remain at the club for another season. Although nothing has been formally announced by either Celtic or the player’s representatives, comments from former Hoops forward Frank McAvennie have added further intrigue to an already closely followed situation.

Iheanacho enjoyed an important role during Celtic’s successful campaign last season, helping the club secure both the Scottish Premiership title and the Scottish Cup. While he was not always a regular starter, the experienced forward consistently made an impact when called upon, particularly during the closing stages of the campaign when his contributions proved decisive.

23rd May 2026; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland; Scottish Cup Final Football, Celtic versus Dunfermline; Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates after he rounds Aston Oxborough of Dunfermline Athletic and shoots and scores to make it 3-0 in the 73rd minute

The 29-year-old found excellent form at the perfect moment, scoring six goals across Celtic’s final nine matches of the season. Those goals came during a period when every result carried significant importance, and his ability to influence games demonstrated why manager Martin O’Neill continued to trust his experience in crucial situations.

Whether starting matches or coming off the bench, Iheanacho regularly delivered when his side needed him most. His performances highlighted not only his finishing ability but also the composure and intelligence that have defined much of his professional career.

Despite his strong finish to the season, Iheanacho officially became a free agent after Celtic chose not to activate the option that would have automatically extended his contract by an additional year. As a result, uncertainty quickly surrounded his future, with supporters eager to discover whether he would remain at Parkhead or seek a new challenge elsewhere.

Although the club allowed the extension clause to expire, reports from CeltsAreHere later suggested that the striker remained keen on continuing his stay with Celtic ahead of the new campaign. That report fuelled optimism among supporters, many of whom hoped an agreement could still be reached despite the expiration of his existing deal.

Since those reports emerged, however, there has been no official communication confirming whether negotiations have progressed or whether a new contract has been signed. Both the club and Iheanacho’s representatives have remained silent, allowing speculation to continue throughout the summer.

Unsurprisingly, interest from clubs outside Scotland has also developed during this period. Turkish reports indicated that Bursaspor had established close contact with Iheanacho’s representatives regarding the possibility of bringing him to the club ahead of the upcoming season.

Those reports suggested Bursaspor were actively searching for attacking reinforcements, with the club’s president even hinting publicly that a new striker could soon be arriving. Iheanacho’s name quickly emerged as one of the players under consideration, increasing uncertainty over where he would be playing next season.

Despite those rumours, nothing substantial has materialised regarding a potential move to Turkey. No official offer has been confirmed, and discussions surrounding Bursaspor have largely remained speculative rather than developing into concrete negotiations.

13h May 2026; Fir Park, Motherwell, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Motherwell versus Celtic; Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic shoots and scores from the penalty spot to make it 3-2 to Celtic in the 99th minute

The latest twist in the story has come from former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie, who recently shared what he described as encouraging rumours while visiting Ireland. McAvennie explained that he had spent time during the trip with former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill as well as current chief executive Michael Nicholson.

Although McAvennie made it clear that neither O’Neill nor Nicholson directly informed him about Iheanacho’s contractual situation, he revealed that talk circulating among people in Ireland suggested the striker had already agreed to remain with Celtic.

Speaking during an episode of his “Let Me Be Frank” podcast, McAvennie explained that rumours indicated Iheanacho had signed another one-year agreement with the Scottish champions.

He expressed his delight at the possibility, praising the striker’s qualities and describing him as someone capable of transforming matches.

McAvennie also suggested that even if Iheanacho did not start every game, his influence from the substitutes’ bench could remain extremely valuable. He argued that introducing the experienced Nigerian during the final half-hour of matches could continue to provide Celtic with a major attacking weapon whenever additional creativity or goals were required.

Importantly, McAvennie stressed that his comments should not be interpreted as confirmation that a new contract had actually been completed. Instead, he emphasised that he was simply repeating rumours he had heard during his visit to Ireland rather than reporting verified information.

Nevertheless, his remarks have naturally generated further excitement among Celtic supporters who would welcome the striker’s return for another campaign. Given Iheanacho’s impact during the decisive weeks of last season, many fans believe retaining his services would significantly strengthen the squad ahead of another demanding year.

Martin O’Neill already understands exactly what Iheanacho can contribute within his tactical setup. Throughout the second half of last season, the striker repeatedly demonstrated his ability to change matches after being introduced from the bench, often bringing fresh energy, composure and a clinical finishing touch during important moments.

Having such an experienced attacking option available provides Celtic with additional flexibility across a long campaign that will once again include domestic league commitments, cup competitions and European football.

Depth will be particularly important if Celtic are to successfully defend their domestic trophies while also competing strongly in continental competition. Keeping experienced players capable of making decisive contributions could therefore prove just as valuable as signing entirely new recruits.

The club have already confirmed one important piece of business by announcing that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will remain at Celtic for another season. His continued presence adds further experience and quality to Martin O’Neill’s squad as preparations continue for the upcoming campaign.

Meanwhile, Celtic also appear to be closing in on another attacking addition. Reports indicate that Colombian striker Camilo Duran is edging ever closer to completing his move, with a medical examination reportedly scheduled across today and tomorrow before the transfer is finalised.

Should that deal be completed alongside a new agreement for Iheanacho, Celtic would significantly strengthen their attacking options heading into another busy season.

If Iheanacho ultimately signs a fresh contract, Celtic would not only retain an experienced international forward but also a proven winner who has already shown he can deliver during high-pressure situations. His performances during last season’s title-winning run demonstrated the importance of having experienced players capable of influencing matches when the stakes are highest.

For now, though, nothing has been officially confirmed, leaving supporters to continue waiting for definitive news regarding his future.

While transfer speculation continues away from the pitch, attention now turns toward Celtic’s first pre-season fixture against Shelbourne. The match represents Martin O’Neill’s first opportunity to assess his squad in competitive action ahead of the new campaign.

It will also provide several academy players with an important chance to impress the coaching staff as they attempt to force their way into first-team plans before the competitive season begins.

Although discussions surrounding Iheanacho’s future continue to dominate conversation among supporters, focus will gradually shift towards preparations on the field as Celtic begin another campaign with ambitions of defending their domestic honours and competing successfully across every competition they enter.