Kelechi Iheanacho has spoken candidly about his return to the Super Eagles squad and defended his decision to join Turkish second-division side Bursaspor, as Nigeria prepare for Tuesday's international friendly against Russia.

A love for the green-white-green

The 30-year-old striker is back in the national fold after more than a year's absence, and he made clear that his commitment to the Super Eagles has nothing to do with personal politics and everything to do with patriotism.

"I have been in the Super Eagles in general for a long time, starting from the U-12, U-13 to U-15, U-17 to Super Eagles so I have been very long here," Iheanacho said from camp.

"I'm not coming to the national team because of anybody but because of the love I have for the game and the passion. It's the dream of everyone to play in the Super Eagles as long as you are Nigerian and I've been living that dream for a long time."

He went further to underline the depth of his devotion, adding that no occasion would be too small for him to pull on the national shirt.

"Even if it's five-a-side or U-15 the Eagles are playing and I'm invited I will play, it doesn't matter because it's my passion. So it's a thing of joy and I'm very happy to be here."

The Bursaspor move explained

Iheanacho's transfer raised eyebrows among supporters after he helped Celtic clinch the league and Cup double last season — while on loan from Sevilla — only to sign with a club competing in Turkey's second division.

The striker, however, pushed back against any suggestion that the move represented a step backwards, insisting the league is more demanding than outsiders appreciate.

"For me football is the same all over the world wherever you go and you have to play football just like you play everywhere," he said. "It's a really good league and it's not easy as we think. I'm enjoying it and they are enjoying it as well."

Goals doing the talking

Whatever doubts existed about the move have been answered emphatically on the pitch. Iheanacho has scored 11 goals and added two assists in just eight appearances, making him the current top scorer in the division.

That form proved impossible for Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to ignore, prompting his recall to the national squad ahead of the Russia friendly.