Michael Stewart states it’s ‘quite clear’ what Celtic will do in the summer after Adam Idah’s season

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Another start for Adam Idah, and another goal in the colours of Celtic.

It’s amazing how all of that correlates, rather than dropping him time and time again, then expecting him to deliver without any rhythm.

After netting a crucial equaliser in the Glasgow derby last weekend, Brendan Rodgers kept his number nine in the XI on Saturday, as Celtic beat Hibernian to celebrate the title in style.

That was Idah’s 19th goal in all competitions this season, and he now heads into the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen in strong form.

You suspect, with Jota out injured, that it will be the Republic of Ireland star leading the line at Hampden, rather than the PFA Player of the Year, Daizen Maeda.

But, when the summer transfer window re-opens, what do Celtic do regarding their striker situation?

• READ MORE: Interesting tactical switch up, what Adam Idah proved, three things we learned as Celtic beat Hibs

Michael Stewart on Celtic’s striker situation amid Adam Idah’s form

Celtic paid big money for Idah in the summer, and that has come back to bite him because it’s a stick many use to beat him with when he isn’t performing well.

But, it needs to be remembered that, the powers that be at Celtic Park didn’t replace Kyogo Furuhashi during the January transfer window, so surely, that role will be filled via the transfer market. 

Michael Stewart told Sportscene that it is ‘quite clear’ a striker will come in, and it will ‘possibly’ reduce Idah’s game time because his conversion rate hasn’t been good enough this term.

“It’s one of those ones, if you look at the stats, they paint a pretty good picture,” said Stewart. “But there is more to it.

“Instances like this (going one-v-one against Hibs) are where he lets himself down a little bit. Getting into very good areas. Movement is brilliant. On the shoulder of the last defender (for a second time), getting in there, and then lacking that composure. He is taking it too early.

“I don’t think there is any doubt that getting to 19 goals for Celtic this season is good. But if you are going to be the main number nine, then along the same lines as the criticism that flows towards Dessers, he needs to have a bigger conversion rate.

“I think it’s quite clear that Celtic will go out and spend big on a centre-forward and look to replace Kyogo, who has left. You look at the conversation rate there, just trying to highlight the point I was trying to make there. Idah has the lowest numbers, in regard to the front three that were playing there against Hibernian.

“Does that limit Adam Idah’s opportunities next season? Possibly. A big club like Celtic, as we have seen already in this campaign, he is still going to get plenty of games. He just needs to be more mindful of getting that conversion rate higher.”

Idah’s conversion rate for Celtic compared to Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn

It needs to be noted that Idah hasn’t played the minutes (2,231) in all competitions, as someone like Maeda (3,891) has, so therefore, he isn’t going to hit those big numbers.

But one area where you can compare Idah to Maeda, as well as Kuhn, in a fair manner, is the conversion rate of the trio.

And that’s where the Irishman is fighting a losing cause, as posted by Sportscene.