Celtic Legend Exonerates Iheanacho After Dundee United Defeat

The fallout from Celtic’s defeat to Dundee United has sparked contrasting opinions about Kelechi Iheanacho’s role, with Chris Sutton branding the striker ‘downright lazy’ while club legend Pat Bonner has stepped in to exonerate him.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Bonner argued that Iheanacho was let down by Martin O’Neill’s tactical approach rather than his own effort.

‘Surely he would have peeled on to one or the other defenders, especially on the left side, the centre back, rather than up against Ross Graham,’ Bonner explained.

‘Get the goalkeeper to play it almost down the sides or down into those wider areas. Everything was straight up the middle and Ross Graham just outjumped him every single time, especially in the first half.’

Bonner pointed out that Iheanacho’s only real chance came when the ball was played differently, into the wider channels, highlighting how Celtic’s rigid approach limited the striker’s impact.

‘From the back to front, it was that type of game today where you had to play the ball long, but Celtic don’t have an idea of how to play it long and get the best out of him,’ he said.