Nigeria star Iheanacho scores brace to inspire Celtic to Scottish Cup final

Nigeria international Kelechi Iheanacho delivered a stunning late show as Celtic F.C. stormed into the Scottish Cup final with a dramatic 6–2 extra-time victory over St. Mirren F.C. on Sunday.

In a match that swung wildly between dominance and defiance, Celtic appeared to be cruising early on. Daizen Maeda stunned the opposition by finding the net within seconds of kickoff, setting the tone for a fast-paced encounter. The Hoops tightened their grip before halftime when Anthony Ralston doubled their advantage, putting them firmly in control at 2–0.

However, the second half told a completely different story. St. Mirren responded with resilience and purpose, spearheaded by Mikael Mandron, who struck twice to level the contest at 2–2. His brace silenced the Celtic supporters momentarily and forced the tie into extra time, setting up a tense and unpredictable finale.

With momentum seemingly shifting, Celtic turned to Iheanacho—and the Nigerian forward did not disappoint. Introduced late in the match, he wasted no time in making his presence felt. Just minutes into extra time, he restored Celtic’s lead with a clinical finish in the 96th minute, breaking St. Mirren’s resistance at a crucial moment.

Sensing vulnerability, Celtic surged forward with renewed confidence, and Iheanacho struck again shortly after to put daylight between the sides. His quick-fire brace opened the floodgates, as Celtic went on to score four times in extra time, turning a hard-fought contest into a resounding victory.

The performance not only highlighted Iheanacho’s predatory instincts and composure under pressure but also underlined his growing importance to the team. Now with six goals this season, the Nigerian forward is hitting form at the perfect time.

For Celtic, the victory secures a place in their fourth consecutive Scottish Cup final, reinforcing their dominance in domestic competitions. For St. Mirren, it was a valiant effort that ultimately unraveled under the relentless pressure of extra time.

On a night of drama, comebacks, and attacking flair, it was Iheanacho who stole the spotlight—turning a tense semi-final into a memorable triumph and propelling Celtic one step closer to silverware.