Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho has credited what he described as the “god of soccer” after helping Celtic secure the Scottish Premiership title in dramatic fashion on Saturday, capping a remarkable debut season in Glasgow, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Celtic staged a late comeback at Celtic Park to defeat Hearts 3-1 and clinch their 14th league title in 15 years, denying the Edinburgh side a first championship since 1960.
Iheanacho, introduced from the bench, played a notable role in Celtic’s second-half pressure and came close himself when he struck the base of the post, helping to shift momentum in the home side’s favour.
After the victory, he expressed his joy at the outcome and reflected on the dramatic nature of the season while speaking to Celtic TV.
“I’m happy. I’m so, so happy today. It was unbelievable today. It was unbelievable. At some point, everyone thought we had lost it,” he said.
“But the god of soccer was on our side today and we won. We fought till the end. So I’m really, really happy. I can’t even express how I feel right now,” he said.
Hearts had taken the lead through Lawrence Shankland’s first-half header, before Arne Engels equalised from the penalty spot in added time after a handball incident involving Alexandros Kyziridis.
The decisive moment arrived late in the second half when Daizen Maeda turned in Callum Osmand’s cross, with VAR overturning an initial offside call to spark jubilant scenes inside the stadium. Osmand then sealed the win after racing through to score into an empty net, as Hearts pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
The 29-year-old described the campaign as one of the most extraordinary of his career, suggesting it could be worthy of a documentary due to its intensity and twists.
“It is so much up there. It is so much up there. This season has been a crazy, crazy season. This season should be on a documentary. It is a crazy season and at the end, God crowned us with victory. So I’m so happy,” he said.
Celtic supporters played a major role throughout the campaign, and Iheanacho acknowledged their contribution, describing the title as particularly meaningful for the fans and the city.
“This trophy is so, so special. I don’t know how many trophies Celtic have won over the years, but this particular one should be called a drama trophy. It is a crazy, crazy trophy,” he added.
“So I’m really happy and the fans should enjoy it. The whole city of Glasgow should enjoy it.
Hopefully, we’ll come back next season and be strong.”
Celtic’s victory secured a fifth consecutive Premiership title and a 56th Scottish league crown, moving them ahead of Rangers in the overall tally.
Iheanacho’s contribution came during a season in which he has scored eight goals in 22 appearances, including several decisive interventions from the bench despite injury setbacks.
The Nigerian forward has also been one of Celtic’s most influential mid-season arrivals in recent years, with his goals directly contributing valuable points in key fixtures as the club navigated a tightly contested title race.
Interim manager Martin O’Neill guided the team through a turbulent campaign to secure the championship, while Celtic now turn their attention to the Scottish Cup final as they pursue a potential domestic double.
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