Celtic: Daizen Maeda responds as Kelechi Iheanacho sends message to fans after Hibernian win

Celtic forward Kelechi Iheanacho has sent a message to their fans on social media after scoring the winning goal in their 2-1 win over Hibernian on Sunday.

Iheanacho netted his fourth Premiership goal of the season in the 72nd minute at Easter Road to send Celtic home with a vital three points in the title race.

The Nigerian striker has had to bide his time to make a real impact this season, but showed his class for the goal by controlling a deflected corner with his chest and tucking the dropping ball past Jordan Smith.

Celtic are now only behind league leaders Hearts on goal difference, with 73 points each, while Rangers sit third on 69 points ahead of their clash at Tynecastle on Monday evening.

Iheanacho may have played himself into Martin O’Neill’s starting eleven for Celtic’s next match, which comes against the Gers at Parkhead next Sunday.

Kelechi Iheanacho pleads with Celtic fans as Daizen Maeda responds

Maeda opened the scoring just before the interval on Sunday with a simple tap-in from Alistair Johnston’s low cross for his 10th goal of the league campaign.

Joe Newell quickly restored terms in added time at the end of the first half, but Iheanacho’s strike was enough to give the Hoops their second win at Easter Road this season.

The 29-year-old took to Instagram on Sunday night to send a message to Celtic fans, with a picture of him celebrating and a caption that read: “Stay with us, almost done” alongside two green hearts and a shamrock emoji.

Maeda responded to the post with green heart and a kissing-face emojis, while Julian Araujo, Benjamin Nygren, Tosin Adarabioyo, Ola Aina and Reo Hatate were among those who left likes.

What is the latest on Iheanacho’s Celtic contract situation?

Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Iheanacho is playing for a new contract at Parkhead as he nears the end of his initial one-year deal.

As with many decisions that need to be made at Celtic, a new manager will likely need to be in place before Iheanacho’s future is sorted out.

O’Neill was asked about the striker’s future after Sunday’s clash, to which he insisted that the club must manage him carefully if they are to keep him for another season.

He said: “What he has done for us has been terrific, really terrific, particularly now.

“You’re looking at his overall contribution through injuries and stuff like this here, for a whole season, those are the things that I’m sure the football club would weigh up on as much as anything else.

“Although he keeps telling me he’s very, very young, time does catch up with players, although I think he’s only 29 or 30.

“If the club were to keep him, then it’s really to do with a proper pre-season for him. A real proper pre-season.”

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