Celtic boss Rodgers vows to get the best out of Kelechi Iheanacho

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says he will do everything beyond his means to make sure that Nigeria forward Kelechi Iheanacho returns to his best shape for the Scottish Premiership side.

Rodgers and the Super Eagles forward worked together during their time in the Premier League with Leicester City and they were re-united this summer after the player signed for Celtic on a one-year contract, with the club having an option for another year.

“I know what he needs to work on and obviously that goal last week will do him the world of good,” said Rodgers as quoted by BBC Radio Scotland. “But the reality is, if he was still at the level of which he can play at, he wouldn’t be at Celtic. That’s the reality.

“But he’s just had that dip for the last 18 months, a couple of years. But he’s still young. So can we reinvigorate him? And he obviously knows coming to Celtic, and he knows how I work and hopefully we can maximise his talent.”

‘He’s one of the leanest players in our squad’

Iheanacho was handed his first start since making the move against Partick Thistle F.C. in the Scottish Cup, and explaining the decision, Rodgers said: “His (Iheanacho) actual fitness is really good. He’s one of the leanest players in our squad, but maybe the football fitness where he hasn’t maybe played as much.

“But what I do know is his talent. I worked with him for just over four years, so I know the ability that he has. And, okay, the last 18 months for him has maybe not gone how he would want, but we’re hoping that by coming here, coming to a club, a special club like Celtic, can get him firing again.”

During the quarterfinal fixture at Firhill Stadium, Iheanacho provided an assist as Celtic hammered Partick Thistle 4-0.

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