Nigerian Striker Rescues Celtic With Late Winner vs Dundee

After months on the sidelines, Kelechi Iheanacho proved he still knows where the net is when Celtic needed him most.

The 29-year-old Nigerian striker came off the bench Sunday to score a late winner against Dundee FC, securing a vital 2-1 victory that keeps Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race. The win leaves Celtic just three points behind the league leaders with six matches to play.

Celtic dominated the first half at Dens Park but couldn't convert their chances into goals. Manager Martin O'Neill admitted his team "should have been out of sight by half-time" after missing several clear opportunities to build a comfortable lead.

That wastefulness nearly cost them. Dundee equalized in the second half through a penalty, shifting momentum and putting Celtic's title ambitions in jeopardy.

Enter Iheanacho. The substitute striker found the back of the net to rescue all three points, earning praise from his manager despite a challenging season disrupted by injuries.

"I know he's had a frustrating time, but he's been a really fine player in his career, and he can find the net," O'Neill told Celtic TV after the match.

For Iheanacho, the goal marked his first since early October and just his fourth of the season. The relief was evident in his post-match comments.

"I've been out for a while, so it feels good to be back and to help the team get the win," he said. "We really showed character, and we really worked hard today to get the win."

The Bright Side

O'Neill highlighted the mental pressure his team faced playing after their title rivals, meaning they had no choice but to win. "There's no room for error at all, and if we had dropped points today, that would have been very difficult to fight back," he explained.

But his squad responded when it counted. Despite missing chances and conceding an equalizer, they kept pushing forward until Iheanacho delivered the decisive moment.

The victory showcases the value of squad depth and perseverance. Sometimes the hero isn't the star who plays 90 minutes but the patient substitute waiting for their chance to shine.

Celtic now turns their focus to the remaining fixtures, knowing that individual moments of brilliance can decide championships.