O’Neill Speaks On Iheanacho’s Decision To Join Bursaspor

12 hours ago 1

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Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has opened up on Kelechi Iheanacho’s move to Turkish club Bursaspor, Completesports.com reports.

Iheanacho spent last season at Celtic and made a big impression despite struggling with injuries for much of the campaign.

However, the Scottish Premiership champions failed to retain the Nigeria international after allowing the one-year extension option in his contract to expire.

The Hoops lost out to Turkish second-tier club Bursaspor in the race to sign the striker.

O’Neill said he was confident of signing Iheanacho, but admitted Iheanacho’s demand for wages of up to £50,000 a week proved to be a major stumbling block.

“There are always two sides to every transfer. He’s gone, I thought we had a deal with him at the time but that wasn’t the case and so he’s gone to pastures new,” O’Neill was quoted by daily record.

“The option ran out, that’s fine. But the option would be to take someone on similar terms to before, so that’s where the difference was. Where Kelechi did terrifically well for us as an impact player coming on.

“He started one game in my two spells against Dundee United but it would have been nice to have him for pre-season. He’s chosen to go elsewhere.

“I don’t know what date. I just tried to answer it the best possible way. I thought we had a deal with him but it didn’t materialise.

“If he’s gone to another club that’s his decision.”