Celtic returned to action in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night, welcoming Livingston to Parkhead following their dramatic SFA Cup victory over Dundee. Martin O’Neill’s side needed extra time to secure the win, after Ethan Hamilton had put the away team ahead with a stunning strike. A 97th-minute equaliser from new signing Junior Adamu kept the Hoops alive, before Sebastian Tounekti’s early extra-time goal booked their place in the quarter-finals.
For Adamu, it was a dream debut. The Austria international, who joined Celtic on loan from Freiburg on deadline day, brilliantly flicked Tounekti’s cross into the bottom corner. The attacker’s Bundesliga record may have been modest in the first half of the season, with just one goal, but between 2020/21 and 2022/23, he scored 32 goals evidence of his potential to be a regular scorer at Parkhead.
How Celtic Can Play Adamu and Cvancara Together
With his goal against Dundee, Adamu now looks like a contender for a Premiership starting role against Kilmarnock. The challenge for O’Neill is integrating him alongside Tomas Cvancara, who has also hit the ground running since joining on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach, registering a goal and an assist in his first two league outings.
Adamu has often featured on the right wing in his career, which could see him replace Joel Mvuka, starting on the right while Cvancara leads the line in the middle. This setup would allow Tounekti and Hyun-jun Yang to compete for a place on the left, while James Forrest and Mvuka provide depth on the opposite flank. Alternatively, Adamu could remain an impact substitute, coming on late to refresh Celtic’s attack and replace Cvancara when the opposition tires.
Regardless of how O’Neill chooses to use him, the Austrian’s debut has made it clear that he is a promising addition, and his presence may signal a change in the Hoops’ attacking hierarchy.
The Celtic Forward Who Should Never Start Again
With both Cvancara and Adamu now scoring early goals, one Celtic forward looks set to be permanently sidelined from the starting XI. Kelechi Iheanacho, who joined on a free transfer last summer, has struggled to stay fit, missing 19 matchday squads across competitions due to a persistent hamstring issue.
The Nigeria international has only played 32 minutes in 2026 — 22 against Utrecht and ten against Falkirk and was absent from the squad against Dundee. While Iheanacho has shown flashes of quality, scoring three goals in ten appearances across the Premiership and Europa League, his inability to maintain consistent fitness means he cannot be relied upon as a starter.
Statistically, Iheanacho has underperformed his expected goals (xG) this season, netting just twice in five league games while missing three big chances. Celtic’s decision to sign Cvancara and Adamu reflects a need for forwards who can contribute consistently in both fitness and form.
Time for a New Celtic Strike Partnership
With Cvancara and Adamu already proving their worth, Iheanacho should not start another game for Celtic this season. The experienced Premier League striker was a reasonable risk on a free transfer, but between injury struggles and underwhelming form, he no longer fits into O’Neill’s plans.
Moving forward, Celtic can rely on their new signings to share the centre-forward duties, ensuring consistent attacking output and providing the Hoops with the firepower needed to compete at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Thiago Nuno is a football editor and analyst covering European leagues, match statistics, and transfer market trends.
