Relief for Celtic… Now does O’Neill want Rangers to win?

It is not the first time in recent weeks that Nigeria international Iheanacho has come to Celtic’s rescue.

The former Manchester City and Leicester City striker has made just eight starts since signing on transfer deadline day in September.

The 29-year-old is still showing a lack of full fitness, but has now scored four times in his last 12 games off the bench.

Two of those came in extra time as Celtic reached the Scottish Cup final at the expense of St Mirren, while the others were league winners at Dundee and Edinburgh.

No wonder O’Neill described him as a “super impact player”, the latest coming after he controlled a corner on his chest before delivering a clinical finish.

Former Celtic midfielder John Collins described it as “a fantastic composure with bodies all around him in a packed box”.

“Iheanacho has a good awareness of what he has about him,” he said. “He can take it and you can play one or two off him, but what he doesn’t have are the legs to start the game.

“So the manager has a decision to make. Do you put him on the bench when games are usually won in the last 20 minutes?

“I think he will be a bench player used for the last minutes until the end of the season. But he has the potential to be a hero at the end of the season.”

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner has also praised Ihehacho for his recent impact but doubts he will return to the level of fitness required to be a regular starter.

However, could O’Neill be forced to turn to Nigerian Maeda, who has sprung into his life with four goals in his last three outings, ending the game by grabbing his boot?

The extent of the Japan forward’s injury is still unknown. However, O’Neill said he is “desperately hoping he will be OK” ahead of next Sunday’s final, potentially crucial, Old Farm derby of the season.