Super Eagles Forward Forced Off With Hamstring Problem in Cup Final Defeat.

Kelechi Iheanacho injury at Celtic

Kelechi Iheanacho has suffered another injury setback, after the Nigerian forward was forced off with a hamstring problem during Celtic’s Premier Sports Cup final loss to St Mirren at Hampden Park.

The 29-year-old was making his first start since returning from injury, having only recently resumed action following a previous hamstring issue. However, his return proved short-lived as he lasted just 35 minutes before pulling up while chasing a forward pass near the touchline.

Iheanacho immediately clutched the back of his leg and, after briefly trying to continue, was withdrawn as a precaution and replaced by Johnny Kenny, raising concerns over another potential lay-off.

The setback comes just weeks after Iheanacho returned from a hamstring injury sustained in October’s Europa League clash against Sturm Graz. His cameo appearance against Roma in midweek marked his first minutes in almost two months, highlighting the stop-start nature of his time at Celtic since joining the club in the summer.

Despite the early exit, Iheanacho showed flashes of sharpness, forcing St Mirren goalkeeper Shamal George into a strong save from a powerful header shortly before the injury.

Since arriving as a free agent from Sevilla, Iheanacho has managed nine appearances and three goals, but persistent fitness issues have limited his impact. His latest injury adds to Celtic’s growing list of absentees, with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston, Daizen Maeda, and Auston Trusty all having missed time this season.

Celtic’s struggles were compounded in the final as they conceded early before eventually falling to a 3–1 defeat, increasing pressure on head coach Wilfried Nancy during a difficult run of results.