Wilfred Ndidi sends message to new Celtic signing after 'embarrassing' twist
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Credit: Imago, Getty
Jonathan Burnett
Wed 3 September 2025 17:17, UK
Celtic ending their summer transfer business with the signing of Kelechi Iheanacho has had to mixed responses from players and fans alike.
Brendan Rodgers’ unhappiness with the board at Celtic Park hit new heights on transfer deadline day, after they failed to address a clear lack of centre-forward options after months of talks with targets.
Celtic‘s frustrations were compounded by Swansea completing the signing of Adam Idah in the window’s last hours, after Football Insider had revealed their interest in Rodgers’ number nine five days previously.
Idah’s departure left Celtic without a natural centre-forward and for Daizen Maeda to continue starting in a makeshift striker role, but Rodgers moved quickly to secure a reunion with Iheanacho after their time together at Leicester City.
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media
Sevilla cancelled Iheanacho‘s contract to allow him to move to Parkhead for nothing, but signing a free agent as their only addition up front has been called “beyond embarrassing” by swathes of Celtic fans.
Rodgers was in charge of Leicester during Iheanacho’s most productive season back in 2020–21 with 19 goals in 39 appearances, but Celtic have been labelled as “amateurs” for signing the Nigeria frontman.
Celtic’s announcement of Iheanacho’s arrival may have been met with criticism, but his international team-mate Wilfred Ndidi tipped the 28-year-old to succeed under Rodgers’ guidance at Celtic Park.
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Now at Besiktas, Ndidi – whose career also peaked during Rodgers’ time at Leicester – shared Celtic’s announcement of Iheanacho’s signing to his Instagram story, and said: “Go and shine”.
Credit: @ndidi on Instagram
Football Insider Verdict
Iheanacho may have inherited the number nine shirt left behind by Idah’s deadline day move to Swansea, but just 10 goals across 52 appearances for three clubs in the last two seasons sparks little excitement.
The Scottish Premiership could prove to be the environment for Iheanacho to rediscover his best form, but there’s no denying he produced little in two Championship spells either side of six months in La Liga.
Celtic have also explored a move for Patrick Bamford following his own departure from Leeds, and with no time left to change things in the transfer window, the free agent market is now the only way for the board at Parkhead to save face.