Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers thinks Adam Idah’s performance away to Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League was one his best in green and white, despite the fact he didn’t score in the match.
The centre-forward starting against the Italian outfit signalled, from the off, a change in approach from manager Brendan Rodgers.
Unlike away to Borussia Dortmund a few weeks prior, Celtic were happy to sit in, absorb pressure, and defend for their lives in Bergamo.
The physically imposing Idah acted as an out ball for his side up top, looking to hold it up and draw fouls.
In his Friday press conference, one journalist asked boss Rodgers about Idah and how he doesn’t think he’s played at his best since joining Celtic permanently, despite averaging a goal every 79 minutes: “He (Idah) came back really late in pre-season, so he wasn’t up to speed physically, and that has probably held him back a little bit,” said the manager (The Celtic Way).
“But I can now start to see him growing and getting better. He’s played really well for us in certain games.
“The Atalanta performance was a big performance by him. He doesn’t score, but it’s not always about scoring. As a striker, you bring other people into the game. So I’ve got no worries about Adam Idah. He was a player we really wanted to bring here.”
Idah’s Goal Record Speaks for Itself
While there might be question marks over his overall play, Idah’s goal record cannot be refuted.
The centre-forward has netted seven times since joining Celtic permanently in the summer and he scores every 70 minutes this campaign.
The 23-year-old always offers a threat, whether from the bench or start. He is the antithesis of Kyogo Furuhashi, a much smaller, nimbler, and quicker striker.
There aren’t many doubts over Idah’s capabilities because he has proven he can net clinically, but one can’t help but feel Celtic could have signed the striker for less than the reported £9.5m (with add-ons) they did if they had been more prompt in their business.
