Kelechi Iheanacho came off the bench to score twice in extra time, firing Celtic into the Scottish Cup final with a 6‑2 victory over St Mirren at Hampden Park.
The Super Eagles striker entered in the 83rd minute with the tie locked at 2‑2. St Mirren had fought back from two goals down to force extra time.
Within four minutes of the restart, Iheanacho rose highest to meet James Forrest’s cross, powering home a header to restore Celtic’s lead. Five minutes later, he volleyed home from a corner to complete his brace and put the game beyond doubt.
Luke McCowan and Benjamin Nygren added late goals as Celtic ran riot in the additional period.
Iheanacho, 29, has endured a stop‑start season disrupted by hamstring injuries. But manager Martin O’Neill has managed him carefully, and the Nigerian delivered when it mattered most.
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“He’s had injury problems, but a properly fit Iheanacho is definitely a handful, as he proved today,” O’Neill told Celtic TV.
For Iheanacho, the victory carried deep personal meaning. He has not lifted a trophy since winning promotion with Leicester City in 2024.
“It feels amazing,” he told Premier Sports. “It’s been a while since I’ve won a silverware. I’ll be so delighted to win one this season. Hopefully, together as a team, we can achieve that”.
Celtic will face Dunfermline Athletic in the final on May 23. The match pits O’Neill against his former captain Neil Lennon in a repeat of the 2007 showpiece.
For Iheanacho, the Hampden stage awaits. A trophy, at last, is 90 minutes away.
