Celtic: Kelechi Iheanacho’s future must surely be in doubt after Dundee United defeat as Kris Boyd proved wrong

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Sun 22 March 2026 19:15, UK Celtic striker Kelechi Iheanacho’s future at the club must be in doubt with Kris Boyd proven wrong before the shock 2-0 defeat at Dundee United. Iheanacho was making his first start for the Hoops since the Scottish League Cup final defeat to St Mirren in December, with Tomas Cvancara not in the matchday squad.The 29-year-old may not have played on many worse pitches than Tannadice’s, but Martin O’Neill would still have been expecting more impact from his striker.Iheanacho’s low strike was well-kept out by Ashley Maynard-Brewer in the first half, in what would prove to be one of only two shots in the game for the Nigerian.O’Neill substituted Iheanacho off early in the second half, with Celtic’s Scottish Premiership title hopes having been dealt a major blow. ⚽ Celtic Matchday ⚽ >Team news, line-ups, expert previews and verdicts, and tactical analysis for every Hoops fixture.

VISIT THE CELTIC MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES What did Kris Boyd say pre-match about Kelechi Ihenacho?Celtic will have to make a decision at the end of the season as to whether to hand Iheanacho a new contract at the club.Iheanacho was signed by former manager Brendan Rodgers on a one-year deal after the summer transfer window closed, and before the Dundee United match, Boyd believed he would make a difference returning to the Celtic team.Boyd told Sky Sports: “You’re going to get an old fashioned one [striker] today coming in. Someone who is going to take the ball in, he’ll hold it up, he’ll look to link the play and get himself in the box.Minutes Played57Touches24Touches in opposition box4Shots2Ground Duels Won3/6Aerial Duels Won1/3Kelechi Iheanacho’s stats for Celtic vs Dundee United via sofascore.“He’s had injury problems from the outlet for the majority of his career, Martin O’Neill will be hoping he can stay fit between now and the end of the season because he could have a big say in what happens.“You look at a lot of the Celtic forward players, it is a work in progress, even with [Daizen] Maeda through the middle they don’t have any connection, he’s [Iheanacho] got the touches, he’s got the link up play, he can play as a striker.”In fact, Iheanacho had the opposite effect as the lone striker against Dundee United, with Celtic registering just three shots on target throughout the game as they struggled to test Ashley Maynard-Brewer in goal.New manager could eye up Iheanacho replacementWith a new manager incoming at Celtic Park at the end of the season, it would be an ideal chance to refresh the squad.Iheanacho’s injury problems mean he can not be a long-term solution to Celtic issues in the number nine role, with the club having not yet replaced Kyogo Furuhashi who left in January 2025.Football Insider understands that Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou is a favourite to takeover at Celtic, and that bolstering their attacking options is a key objective in the summer transfer window.Askou may want to reunite with Motherwell striker Tawanda Maswanhise, who is the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer with 16 goals.Iheanacho may get another chance to prove his worth at the club when Celtic host Dundee next in the Scottish Premiership.