Kelechi Iheanacho announced his arrival at Celtic in stunning fashion, scoring a stoppage-time penalty to seal a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock on his debut in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, September 14.
The Nigerian forward, signed as a free agent after the transfer deadline, converted from the spot with virtually the last kick of the game after VAR adjudged Lewis Mayo to have handled James Forrest’s shot inside the box. The result lifted Celtic back to the top of the Premiership table, level on 13 points with Hearts but ahead on goal difference.
The match at Rugby Park was marked by supporter unrest, with fans staging a 12-minute boycott at kick-off to protest the club’s lack of transfer activity and frustration following an early Champions League exit to Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty.
Daizen Maeda gave Celtic a first-half lead with a diving header from Marcelo Saracchi’s precise cross—his first goal since April—helping to ease some of the tension. But Kilmarnock fought back strongly and equalised in the 83rd minute through David Watson, who rose highest to nod in Greg Kiltie’s corner.
The hosts pressed for a late winner and looked the likelier side until Iheanacho’s decisive intervention swung the points Celtic’s way.
Manager Brendan Rodgers praised his players’ composure in a tense atmosphere.
“I’m delighted for the players first and foremost, because all eyes were on them today,” Rodgers said. “There’s been a lot said and written, but ultimately once we get on the pitch we can control that. I’m just so pleased for them that they could get a win to get us going again on this next round of games.”
The victory not only kept Celtic on course in the title race but also offered fresh hope to fans that Iheanacho could become a key figure in reviving the club’s domestic and European ambitions.