Iheanacho Thrilled by Maiden European Goal for Celtic

Kelechi Iheanacho has expressed immense delight after marking his European debut for Celtic with a crucial goal, securing a valuable point for the Scottish Premiership champions in the Europa League on Thursday night. The Nigerian international’s strike came in a hard-fought 1-1 away draw against Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade, highlighting his immediate value to his new club on the continental stage.

The forward, a second-half substitute, made an immediate and decisive impact shortly after his introduction. Iheanacho gave The Hoops the lead in the 55th minute, demonstrating his clinical finishing ability with a clever, composed strike that bypassed the home goalkeeper. However, the lead was short-lived, as experienced Austrian international Marko Arnautović managed to restore parity for the host side just ten minutes later, ensuring the spoils were shared in a tense encounter.

This goal represents a significant milestone for the 28-year-old, as it marks his first official goal in a European competition wearing the Celtic jersey. It is also his second goal in only three total appearances for the club since he arrived earlier this month on a free transfer. This quick start confirms that Iheanacho is rapidly integrating into the squad and provides Head Coach Brendan Rodgers with a potent, experienced attacking option for the demanding league and cup schedule ahead.

Speaking to the club’s official website after the match, Iheanacho described the moment as one to treasure. “It felt really great, playing my first European competition with Celtic. I’m happy to get a goal for the team,” he stated. He was also quick to praise the environment of the fixture, adding, “It was a great atmosphere, to be fair. We got a point here and hopefully we’ll get more points in the future.” The emphasis on securing points early is crucial for qualification from the group stages, indicating a clear focus on progressing deep into the competition.

The technical quality of the goal and Iheanacho’s seamless transition suggest he will be a central figure in Celtic’s attempts to navigate a difficult Europa League group and sustain their dominance in the Scottish Premiership. His international pedigree and Premier League experience are seen as major assets to the squad.