Celtic legend Peter Grant has expressed doubts over the club’s decision to sign Nigerian international Kelechi Iheanacho, suggesting the Hoops should have instead gone for Hibernian forward Kieran Bowie during the last transfer window.
Iheanacho, who joined Celtic as a free agent after terminating his contract with La Liga side Sevilla, was brought in to replace last season’s top scorer, Adam Idah, now with Swansea City.
The 27-year-old made a bright start to life in Scotland, scoring two goals and providing one assist in his first three appearances. However, his momentum has since slowed, with just one goal in his last five games before a minor injury kept him out for two weeks.
Celtic currently sit second in the Scottish Premiership with 20 points from 10 games, but their attack has underperformed, netting just 16 goals — a tally considered below the club’s usual high standards.
Speaking on the team’s attacking struggles, Grant argued that the forward line lacks balance, noting that Iheanacho’s left-footedness mirrors that of several other Celtic attackers.
“See on deadline day — I would have made a go for Bowie at Hibs. If you are thinking right, I have lost a striker. I am going to pay a few bob for him because this kid is going to get better,” Grant told the media.
“He is strong, he is Scottish, and he can play in the Scottish game. He has proved it.”
This season, Kieran Bowie has recorded three goals and one assist in 11 league games for Hibernian, while Iheanacho has managed two goals in seven appearances for Celtic.
“Something like that. You don’t need analytics to tell you this kid could be your goalscorer,” Grant added.
