Former Celtic striker Kelechi Iheanacho has explained why he decided to join Bursaspor in the summer after talks with the Bhoys. Iheanacho joined Celtic in February and played an important role in the Bhoys turning things around before winning a league and cup double.
It was hoped he would stick around for this season, but bizarrely, Celtic decided not to active the option to extend his contract, and they then waited weeks before holding serious talks over a new deal.
Martin O'Neill spoke of the need for Iheanacho to have a proper pre-season, but the club then allowed a chunk of pre-season to go by before trying to re-sign the striker.
It was a strange situation, and ultimately, we know that Iheanacho was offered better terms by Turkish second division side Bursaspor, who offered a longer-term deal.
Iheanacho won't be regretting that decision, already scoring 11 times in just eight games, with Bursaspor currently second after a fast start.
“As a player, you have your reasons for choosing any club you join in Turkey,” Iheanacho told the NFF when asked about his move.
“For me, football is the same all over the world, no matter where you go. You play the same game everywhere. Several of us are in Turkey, and in the division where I play, there are many Nigerians that people might not know about. But it is a good league.
“I don’t know how people rate the league, but it’s a genuinely tough division and not as easy as people think.
“When you come here to play, you will see whether it is easy or not. My teammates who are here can testify to that as well. I’m enjoying it, and I know they are enjoying it too. It’s a very good league.”
Celtic ended up signing Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh to improve their attack, but they also signed a youngster on loan in Shim Mheuka. You do wonder whether Iheanacho would have been a stronger option, and he likely would have been, but while the Bhoys have their weaknesses, the attack isn't really one of them, so it's not an egregious decision from that side of things.
Having said that, the way Celtic handled the Iheanacho situation was pretty poor, and they ultimately left him hanging for too long before making a decision, which won't have helped the striker and his fitness. But it's good to see the striker doing well elsewhere.
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