Scottish Cup: Iheanacho Scores Brace As Celtic Trash St Mirren To Reach Final

In a pulsating Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park, Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho emerged as the overtime hero, bagging two crucial goals to help Celtic overpower St. Mirren 6-2 and secure their place in the final.

The Hoops looked to be cruising into the showpiece event after a dominant first half. Japanese forward Daizen Maeda opened the scoring with a clinical finish, before defender Anthony Ralston doubled the lead with a powerful strike from the edge of the box. At 2-0, Celtic appeared in complete control.

But St. Mirren refused to surrender. In a stunning second-half comeback, French striker Mikaël Mandron netted twice to level the scores, forcing the tie into an additional 30 minutes.

His first goal came from a close-range header, and his second was a composed finish after a defensive lapse from Celtic.

With momentum seemingly shifting, Celtic turned to their Nigerian ace. In the 96th minute, Iheanacho latched onto a through ball and slotted calmly past the goalkeeper to restore Celtic’s lead.

Just five minutes later, in the 101st minute, he struck again—this time volleying home from a corner kick to complete his brace and put the game beyond doubt.

The 29-year-old Super Eagles star has now scored six goals across all competitions for Celtic this season, with his latest heroics ensuring Brendan Rodgers’ side will return to Hampden for the final.

Celtic added two more late goals to seal the emphatic 6-2 victory, but it was Iheanacho’s extra-time impact that truly turned the tide.