Adam Idah was handed a start as Celtic beat Motherwell on Boxing Day.
Brendan Rodgers has been rotating his XI due to injuries, illness and a heavy schedule, with Idah coming in for Kyogo Furuhashi after the bore draw at Dundee United before Christmas.
Celtic claimed a 4-0 win over Motherwell, but the Irishman didn’t get on the scoresheet and perhaps didn’t threaten as well or as much as he would have liked.
It has been a mixed time for the player – being in and out of the XI, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that he only has three goals since November.
The 23-year-old was a big signing for the champions in the summer after his successful six-month loan spell last season.
But Ross McCormack shared some interesting and controversial thoughts on his signing, especially with the winter transfer window around the corner.
Ross McCormack says Celtic were ‘backed into a corner’ to sign Adam Idah from Norwich City
After Idah’s late winner against Rangers in the Scottish Cup final, it was a no-brainer to bring him back permanently because he had written his own contract with that strike.
Celtic fans were delighted to see him return, but Ross McCormack feels that the champions were ‘backed into a corner’ to bring him in, as he told Open Goal.
McCormack thinks Rodgers needs to bring in another number nine in January as he raised doubts over the impact Idah has had so far.
“I have got thoughts on big Idah, to be honest,” said McCormack. “I thought Celtic were backed into a corner in the summer to sign him. There is a reason why you are leaving Norwich City in the Championship. He couldn’t get a game.
What did they pay for him? It’s probably an outlay of what £4.5 or 5 million up front. I think his goal in the cup final at the end of the season meant that Celtic had to go and pay that money. If they didn’t, then the fans would have kicked up a stink. I think they need a striker.
“You put it into the box and it’s not a token gesture. Jump for air, no, no, no. I am going for this and I am going to score here. I would love Celtic to have a striker like that. Somebody who can really attack the ball in the box.
Idah’s stats for Celtic this season
Perhaps Idah will point towards wanting to earn regular starts, so he can find his rhythm and then he can really showcase his worth.
Kyogo has played over 1,500 minutes for Celtic this season in all competitions and, in comparison, Idah has played just over 900.
Perhaps Rodgers should play them both together or keep Idah in the XI for longer because, as posted by Transfermarkt, he has eight goals in all competitions, just like Kyogo.
