Celtic have been scouring the market for strikers since last summer.
Martin O’Neill has secured the signature of Tomas Cvancara, but the business isn’t done there, with plenty of irons still in the fire.
One of the reasons for the scrambling – and also one of the contributing factors to the resignation of Brendan Rodgers – was the sale of Adam Idah last summer.
Idah joined Swansea for £7 million, without being replaced, despite Rodgers saying in no uncertain terms that the deal would only happen if another striker was brought in.
And Darren O’Dea, Swansea’s assistant manager at the time of the move, has now revealed that it was all because of him.
Would you take Adam Idah back at Celtic?
Darren O’Dea on Adam Idah leaving Celtic
Idah wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but his rate of goalscoring in his solitary full season was fairly commendable.
However, his form at the start of this season wasn’t so convincing.
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When Idah was substituted at half-time against Kairat Almaty, O’Dea smelt an opportunity.
He recalled on the Go Radio Football Show: “He actually did pretty well up at Celtic. Scored big goals, scored Champions League goals, goals that won cup finals… it’s just that the expectation is huge.
“It was me that bought him at Swansea. I don’t know if I’ve told this story.
“He got taken off at half-time against Kairat Almaty, and I sent a text at half-time to say: ‘I don’t know if this is being a bit cheeky, but I’ll ask the question’.
“But yeah, it grew arms and legs from there. There was a lot that happened in the few weeks between and then and before the deal got concluded, but I was very much at the forefront of it.”
In fairness, it may not have been the worst deal for the Hoops given that Idah has failed to make an impact since moving to south Wales.
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Adam Idah’s Celtic career
Idah initially joined the Hoops on loan, a signing fully orchestrated by Rodgers. With the club locked in a title race, his addition was decisive.
Crucial goals against Motherwell, Hibs and eventually the Scottish Cup final against Rangers tempted the club into paying £9 million to bring him permanently from Norwich.
He scored 20 goals the following season, including three in the Champions League – despite often finding himself benched for Kyogo Furuhashi or Daizen Maeda.
The result? The situation that we now have. Who knows, if it wasn’t for that text message from O’Dea, Rodgers could possibly still be here…
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