Michael Stewart has Celtic concern over ace who may say 'goodnight Vienna' to his season if injury bug strikes

Michael Stewart reckons Celtic are playing a fine balancing act with a key player - and one more injury could end his contribution to the title race.

Kelechi Iheanacho was again inspirational for the Hoops as he rose off the bench in Sunday’s thumping 6-2 win after extra time over St Mirren in a Scottish Cup semi-final. With the game locked at 2-2 after 90 minutes, the forward netted a double, acros 37 minutes of action. He signed for Celtic as a free agent last year but his term has been marred by injury, playing just eight Premiership matches overall.

Heading into this weekend’s game with Falkirk in the Premiership third and three points off leaders Hearts, pundit Michael Stewart knows the time for Celtic rolling the dice on the ex-Man City striker’s fitness is nigh. Quality is there, but caution is still needed, amid nagging injury fears.

Kelechi Iheanacho at Celtic verdict

The ex-midfielder said on the Premier Sports Social Club: “It's there for everybody to see. The biggest thing is, and we all know it, I suppose the frustration for Celtic and the support is so much of what has happened this season has been what you would class as predictable. It has been because I think everybody's been saying it all along. Very much in the same vein as that is that everybody knows that Iheanacho is a top class striker but he has injury problems.

“That has played out this season. Iheanacho, all things being equal, would be starting every game until the end of the season. Is he capable of playing every game? That's the big question. But then you suppose that you're running the risk that he picks up another injury and he's out completely. I'm just saying that it's not a straightforward scenario as we have seen all season long.

“But yeah, there is no question that he's a guy that is a proper finisher and can score all types of goals, really. Poacher goals, score with his head, outside the box, he's a top class striker. It's not straightforward because it's not, you know, you very, very easily you can imagine that pick up an injury and it's goodnight Vienna, season's over for Iheanacho.”

How will Scottish Cup semi final impact Celtic title race?

Former Rangers and Scotland defender Alan Hutton was also on the panel. He added on what a cup final spot can do for Celtic momentum in the title race: “I think we'll find out in the coming weeks, won't we, ultimately. It's got to give you confidence that when you're in a tough situation, you know that you can score goals. That's what I kept on saying, this has been Celtic for me.

“Where you see really good moments, really good moments of play, moving the ball really quickly and scoring but not putting teams to bed. And that's basically what it's been, that's what it was again. But the quality shone through in the end, I mean, that's what they're capable of.”

The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly