Kelechi Iheanacho’s injury woes at Celtic continued on Sunday as the Nigerian forward was forced off during the Premier Sports Cup final defeat to St Mirren with a fresh hamstring problem.
The 29-year-old had been handed his first start since recovering from a previous muscle injury, but his return lasted just 35 minutes at Hampden Park. While chasing a pass near the touchline, Iheanacho suddenly pulled up, clutching the back of his leg, prompting immediate concern from the Celtic bench.
He attempted to continue briefly but was eventually substituted for Johnny Kenny as a precaution, raising fears of another extended spell on the sidelines.
The setback is a major blow for head coach Wilfried Nancy, who had only recently welcomed Iheanacho back into the squad. Iheanacho had made a substitute appearance in Celtic’s Europa League defeat to Roma midweek, marking his first outing in nearly two months after sustaining a hamstring injury against Sturm Graz in October.
Sunday’s injury puts in doubt Iheanacho’s availability after he already missed six league matches, the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers, and a Europa League tie against Midtjylland this season.
Before being substituted, Iheanacho had looked sharp, nearly opening the scoring with a powerful header saved by St Mirren goalkeeper Shamal George—a glimpse of the impact Celtic had hoped for since signing him as a free agent from Sevilla.
Injuries have repeatedly disrupted Iheanacho’s time in Glasgow. Since joining in the summer, he has made nine appearances and scored three goals, but consistent fitness has been elusive.
Celtic’s broader injury issues continue, with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston sidelined, while Daizen Maeda and Auston Trusty have also missed games. Iheanacho’s latest problem further strains a squad navigating a demanding fixture schedule.
On the field, Celtic’s cup final was a tough outing. They fell behind within two minutes to a Marcus Fraser header before Reo Hatate equalized. St Mirren, however, dominated the second half, with John Ayunga scoring twice to secure a memorable victory.
