Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will have a conundrum this summer regarding whether he should pursue impressive loanee Adam Idah.
Brought in from Norwich City in the January window without an option to buy, the Republic of Ireland international has made a name for himself at Parkhead, racking up seven goals and two assists in 14 appearances [Transfermarkt].
Last month, Idah opened up on his burst of form at Celtic alongside his positive rapport with Rodgers, stating: “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.”
Yesterday, reports emerged indicating that Celtic will need to pay a minimum of £5 million to land the 23-year-old on a permanent deal, with Norwich City likely to hold out for a decent fee for his services.
Previously, Rodgers has admitted any decision on Idah’s future is set to be assessed at the end of the season; however, for the price in question, the Hoops would be landing a senior international with pace, power and sell-on value at Parkhead.
Nevertheless, there could be several moving parts before any agreement is reached between all parties, so we will need to wait and see on that front.
John Hartson on Adam Idah’s chances of staying at Celtic
Former Celtic striker John Hartson knows a thing or two about leading the line at Parkhead, and he has been impressed by Idah’s impact during his loan spell.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, the Welshman has urged the Hoops to complete what he believes would be a ‘very good’ bit of business this summer by drafting the Irishman in permanently; meanwhile, Hartson also claimed he would pay in the region of £4 million for his services.
He stated, “I like him. He’s come to the club, and not many people really knew him. I think when they looked him up, they saw he was not overly great at Norwich; in and out of the side, people expected more of a name, more of a high-profile centre-forward, but he’s come in. I think he’s got his head down. He’s scored seven goals in the time he’s been on loan.
“Some big goals as well in that period, and I think he can run in behind; he’s got lots of good attributes to his game. Somebody said to me, ‘Would Celtic pay £7 million or £8 million for him?’ I said, ‘I’m not quite sure Celtic are in the market to spend that much’ (on one player in the window).”
“Somebody said to me, ‘What would you spend?’ I said, ‘Around £4 million’, but I think he’s somebody who has done enough to merit Celtic signing him because the last thing that you’d want as Celtic is not to take him and find out that another club takes him away from Norwich, and all of a sudden, he (becomes) magnificent.”
Later on he added: “I think he’s one of them that can improve, and I’d like to see him get that opportunity at Celtic, I think he would be a very good signing.”
Adam Idah has made a case for Celtic to deal him in
More than anything, the importance of the goals Idah has scored for Celtic have made him a prime suspect for conversation surrounding his long-term future.
His double against Hibernian, brace at Motherwell and heroics off the bench at Ibrox spring to mind, and his familiarity with our current set-up would rule out the notion of any acclimatisation period for the Cork-born forward.
Other viable striker targets will also emerge once the window opens, leaving Rodgers with a big question to answer in a few months’ time.
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