"Really exciting"; Irish club boss' class 2021 comments on Celtic-linked Aidomo Emakhu

By David Walton

June 1, 2022

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley was left hugely impressed with Celtic-linked Aidomo Emakhu’s potential as far back as August.

The Hoops are one of several clubs said to be monitoring the young striker. Indeed, the Irish Sun stated that the Hoops and Roma have been keeping tabs on the player. Southampton, Wolves, and Leece have also shown an interest.

Emakhu has been regularly utilised by Bradley over the last year, with the 18-year-old making 27 appearances for the club. Albeit, only 4 came in the starting lineup [Transfermarkt].

And speaking about the player back in August, Bradley was clearly hugely excited about what he believes the player has to offer in the future. As quoted by the Irish Sun last year, the Shamrock boss said: “I’m always conscious of when you put young boys in because you can hurt them as well, so you have to mind them. But he’s a really exciting prospect and I felt this was the right occasion for him. You can get that feeling.

“He has been knocking on the door. He came on in Waterford a while back and was really good. I watched him here on Sunday for the Under-19s and I knew he was ready I’m delighted for him as he’s a really good kid and works extremely hard.

“The boy is a talent. At Under-11s, Under-12s, he was the hottest prospect in Dublin and everyone wanted him. He lost his way for two years physically, he was smaller than everyone. And that knocked his confidence. But at 15 and 16 he has taken that growth. His ability has always been there. You’ve only seen a glimpse of it but there is serious ability and talent.”

Aidomo Emakhu clearly a huge prospect in ROI

It’s difficult to ignore the reality of our success when it comes to recent young Irish players. The likes of Luca Connell, Barry Coffey, and Jonathan Afolabi just haven’t managed to make it at Parkhead. There is of course plenty of hope surrounding Johnny Kenny and Liam Scales, but they both still seem some way from making a first-team impact.

Things are of course different at Celtic Park. The environment has changed under Ange Postecoglou and youngsters who deserve the spotlight are given opportunities. That could be something that whets the appetite for Emakhu.

But in contrast, he really needs to be out building up his record first-team games. Getting experience against professionals on a weekly basis is ideal for him at his age. More experience with Shamrock Rovers or perhaps elsewhere looks like the next step.

It would be interesting to know why Bradley hasn’t been playing Emakhu all that often this season. The striker has had to settled for regular cameo appearances instead.

The step-up from Shamrock Rovers to Celtic Park is of course a monumental one. Scales has found that out this season and he was one of if not Shamrock’s best player. So if any offer does come in for Emakhu, he has to think seriously about the right step regarding his development and on-field opportunities.

For now, however, we continue to await who Celtic do indeed go for over the summer window.

In other news, “Really exciting”; Irish club boss’ class 2021 comments on Celtic-linked Aidomo Emakhu