Celtic urged to resist striker temptation as Hearts move for former Parkhead target - 'not the answer'
Celtic warned against deal as Hearts get set to move for Scottish Premiership star.
Celtic have been told they must move on from Kelechi Iheanacho this summer and resist the temptation to offer him a new deal despite his goal flurry in the second half of the campaign.
The Nigerian striker scored a series of vital goals to help Celtic win their fifth consecutive - and record 56th - title this season, but is set to depart the club this summer, with his short-term contract at the club due to expire next month, although the club do hold an option to extend this by a further year if they wish.
While Iheanacho has had issues with fitness since joining the club on a free transfer last September, he has moulded himself into a fan favourite after scoring a crucial last-minute penalty in a 3-2 win over Motherwell, on top of late winners against Dundee and Hibs to help the club reclaim their Scottish Premiership crown.
Set to be part of the squad as Celtic look to secure a domestic double against Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup final this weekend, the 29-year-old insisted he would not discuss extending his time until the end of the campaign. However, former Parkhead midfielder Stiliyan Petrov has urged the club to move in a different direction despite Iheanacho’s contributions this season.
“Daizen Maeda, what a player, what a finish to the season,” said Petrov. “They needed someone to inspire Celtic with goals and performances, and he has definitely done that. Iheanacho, people talk about him movement and his ability, but I think he has made a lot of difference in a lot of games.
“But you need a striker who can compete all season, who is fit all season, who is ready, who is mobile. You know what? He’s done so well. For me, with what Celtic stands for, they have to go for something different. Something more powerful. Speed. Mobility. That’s the way it is, unfortunately, at a big club. You have to go with what you think is right for the club. For me, I don’t think Iheanacho is the answer for the future of the club”
Meanwhile, Hearts are targeting a move for Falkirk player of the year Calvin Miller, who was linked with a move to Celtic during the January transfer window. Miller, 28, has been in excellent form for the Bairns, scoring seven goals and assisting a further nine, as John McGlynn’s side ended the season in sixth place on their return to the top flight.
Falkirk are bracing themselves for interest in their star man this summer, with Miller about to enter the final 12 months of his contract at the club. A former Celtic academy product, it was rumoured that Martin O’Neill was interested in pursuing a deal that would see him return to the club during the winter transfer window, although talk of a departure was shot down by Falkirk boss McGlynn.
However, Miller could now be set to move to Tynecastle instead, with several reports claiming that Hearts boss Derek McInnes has added the versatile attacker to his summer transfer wishlist, with the Hearts boss believing he can add to the club’s already strong core of Scottish talent, such as Lawrence Shankland, Harry Milne and Stuart Findlay.
Narrowly missing out on winning the title with a final-day 3-1 defeat to Celtic last weekend, Hearts are set to play in the Champions League qualifiers for the first time since 2026 next season, and the Tynecastle outfit wants to bolster their squad significantly this summer, with plans already in place for the arrival of Versailles midfielder Tom Renaud.
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