Super Eagles star's hamstring injury casts doubt on Eric Chelle's World Cup playoff hopes

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that forward Kelechi Iheanacho may have sustained a hamstring injury during the club's 2-1 Europa League victory over Sturm Graz on Thursday.

The Nigerian international's night was cut short early in the match when he was forced off with a knock, making way for substitute Johnny Kenny.

The injury woes continued for Celtic as defender Alistair Johnston also left the field shortly after with a hamstring problem, and centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers finished the game with an ankle issue.

The trio are now doubts for the important Premiership clash against Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday, with Celtic currently trailing their rivals by five points.

Speaking after the match, Rodgers expressed concern over the injuries, particularly for Iheanacho, who has been in impressive form since joining the club.

"The first two [Iheanacho and Johnston]? It doesn’t look great. It looks like hamstrings. But okay, that’s what happens," Rodgers told TNT Sports.

The manager also explained the tactical constraints due to the injuries on his team during the second half.

"Our problem was, in the second half, that we could only make one substitution," he noted.

He added, "Obviously Cam [Carter-Vickers] was struggling towards the end, but we couldn’t get him off because we had already made the subs; you only have three moments to make the subs in the game."

Despite the setbacks, Rodgers praised the players who stepped in.

"I thought the guys that came in, I thought Colby, for a young guy coming in, I thought he grew in the game, got better and was more secure as the game went on, he wants to go forward, which is what we want. And Johnny [Kenny] came in and ran his heart out, threatened in behind and pressed the game. A couple of wee moments in the box where he nearly got on the end of it. So the guys came in and stood up to it really well."

Kelechi Iheanacho may miss the Super Eagles' World Cup playoff against Gabon in Morocco next month due to injury.