Celtic interim head coach Martin O’Neill has praised Kelechi Iheanacho’s contributions to the clubs’s title charge this season following their last-gasp 3-2 win over Motherwell on Wednesday.
The Hoops made sure the title race went down to the final day with the win on Wednesday night, although they were made to work hard for the result.
The home side went in front inside the first 15 minutes, but Celtic hit back before halftime through Daizen Maeda and they could even have gone to the break in front, but were denied by the crossbar.
Speaking after the result, O’Neill hailed match-winner Iheanacho after his decisive contribution for the club once again.
“Iheanacho has been terrific for us with the little cameo roles that he’s done”, O’Neill said.
“He’s had a really frustrating time this season with hamstring problems, but he has come up big for us in these weeks, absolutely big, and he was the one taking the penalty.
“I was delighted that he was the one who was taking it.”
Benjamin Nygren put Celtic in front in the second half, but Motherwell pulled level few minutes before fulltime.
Then the Scottish champions were awarded a controversial penalty kick in stoppage time and Iheanacho, who had come on earlier in the second half, fired home confidently under pressure to seal a 3-2 win.
“Well, I have seen it back very, very briefly, it’s a handball, it looks as if it’s also an elbow to the side of the head as well”, O’Neill reflected on the handball incident.
“VAR have asked the referee to come over and have a look at it, and he’s [had] no hesitation in giving the penalty.”
Celtic now head into their final game of the season at the Celtic Park against leaders Hearts, knowing that only a win would see them successfully defend their title.
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