Adam Idah wasn’t a wholly popular signing when his loan move from Norwich City to Celtic was announced in the winter transfer window.
Some Celtic fans, expecting a more ambitious recruitment drive, felt that Idah’s arrival was another sign of transfer problems behind the scenes at the club.
However, Brendan Rodgers consistently made it clear he believed in the player and it’s fair to say the striker’s impact has reversed opinion.
He’s scored six goals in his short time here, including a crucial late effort against Rangers in a 3-3 draw last week. As an alternative option to Kyogo Furuhashi, he’s proven his worth.
Idah reckons he’s playing the best football of his career and puts it down to the confidence he feels pulling on a Celtic shirt, rather than being unsure of himself at Norwich.
Adam Idah on his Celtic form
The Republic of Ireland international said this weekend [Daily Record, 13/04 print edition]: “I’m really enjoying playing up here. It’s probably the most confident I’ve ever been. People can probably tell that when I’m on the pitch and around the place, it’s probably the best I have played and you can tell by the goals.
“There’s a lot of things he [Rodgers] does with me and the other attacking players in training that you can see I’ve brought into my game. He’s helped me massively.
“When I first came in there were things we spoke about that he thought he could help me improve. Week by week I’m doing that and I’ll try and repay him as much as the faith he has put in me.
“Being that confident player is huge. When I was at Norwich, I wasn’t confident, I wasn’t getting minutes. It’s a difficult place to be in when you’re not doing so well. So to come here and have everyone behind me, the staff, the fans, has been great for me. I’m loving it.”
Adam Idah statistics 2023/24
Idah’s Celtic future
If the price is right, there’s no reason why Celtic shouldn’t make a permanent push to sign Idah this summer. There’s talk that he could be available for around £3m, which is pretty cheap when it comes to strikers.
He is a viable squad player for the Bhoys and with Rodgers’ backing, his confidence can be maintained into a new season. He’s shown he is good enough to punish teams in the Scottish Premiership.
Whether it’ll all be as smooth as snatching him up in a bargain deal remains to be seen. Norwich may well have other plans for him now that he’s boosted his profile.