Celtic forward Kelechi Iheanacho says that he is ready to play his part in the title run-in after he scored the vital winner in his side’s 2-1 victory at Dundee.

It was the first time this season the Parkhead club have won in the city of discovery, with Iheanacho’s match-winning strike eight minutes from time keeping Celtic within touching distance of leaders Hearts after they dropped points in a 2-2 draw away to Livingston.

And the Nigerian believes he can be the man to lead the line for Celtic as he puts his injury worries behind him with the hunt for a domestic double still achievable.

He said: “Yeah, I’m sure I’m fit to start games. Obviously it’s up to the manager to pick who he wants to start the games, but I’m really sure I’m perfectly okay to start games.

“When you’re injured as a player, it’s obviously really difficult. Sometimes you could put your head down and all that.

“Obviously you still support your team, but it’s really sad sometimes not getting on the pitch, contributing to the club that signed you.”

The 29-year-old’s late strike coupled with a first half opener from Hyun-jun Yang either side of a Simon Murray penalty keeps Celtic third but just three points off of Hearts, with the defending champions expected to play the current leaders and Rangers at home in the split.

And Iheanacho knows of the significance of the last few weeks of the campaign.

“We just need to take it one game at a time and hopefully it will fall for us.

“It [the result] was really massive for the team, where we are in the table, close to the top, so it’s massive.

“It would have been scary to drop points because it would have been hard for the rest of the season. It was a great finish so I’m happy.

“We need to keep winning to get to the end. Obviously it’s not been great for the past few weeks but I think we showed great character, discipline and togetherness to win the game.”

It was the fourth goal from the former Manchester City attacker this season, which incredibly makes him Celtic’s highest scoring striker this season. With his current deal expiring in the summer, Iheanacho says negotiations are a second priority to the task at hand just now.

“I think in terms of that [contract expiring], we’re focussing now on the games going forward.

“Anything that concerns the contract will be maybe after the season, after we achieve our goals.”

Celtic’s next two games are against St. Mirren in the league and then again in the Scottish Cup semi-final, with the anticipated split fixture dates set to be announced in the next few days.