Yesterday, Adam Idah spoke to a couple of media outlets and defended himself again—not only from critics of what he’s doing on the field, but also from those still having a go at him over a minor off-field indiscretion.
I think it’s shocking what this guy has to put up with, and I wonder if he’d be subjected to the same treatment if he played for another club.
It’s pretty appalling, the way he’s being targeted.
Regular readers know I’m a happy camper when it comes to this guy. I think he’s had an excellent start as a Celtic player. It hasn’t been world-beating or mind-blowing or anything like that, but his numbers are good.
His stats, his ability to score in big games—those continue to be impressive. I just think, by and large, he’s been a very good signing, and I am content to ignore the price tag, which is nothing to do with him anyway.
Even those who have been critical of him must surely see that some of the scrutiny he’s getting is just unacceptable. Some of the pressure he’s under is relentless, stupid, and pointless—except in how it constantly undermines him.
He had a pointed dig at Pat Bonner of the BBC, an ex-Celtic player who seems to go after him regularly. I know what he means. I’ve written about it myself.
Everyone who plays for Celtic—everyone who pulls on that jersey—knows they’re going to be held to a high standard. It’s part of what makes this a difficult club for some players to play for. The pressure is relentless.
You don’t get a minute to relax on the pitch, and you certainly don’t get much time to yourself off it. There’s always someone watching. Always. In our social media age, there might even be someone filming. Rodgers is right: nobody should be subjected to that. But let’s deal in reality here—more and more players are subjected to it.
He’s still a young guy and he’s having to cope with an awful lot.
When he was at Norwich, coming through the academy, there was pressure on him to fulfil his potential and be the next big thing. The pressure he’s under now is far more intense, and the adjustment shock must be massive.
In many ways, he benefited from coming to Celtic on loan. As someone who seemed like an underwhelming signing, nobody had great expectations for Idah—although I had an inkling, a suspicion, that he might do well in Rodgers’ system. Rodgers had clearly picked him for that combination of pace and power.
Even then, I didn’t foresee he’d be such a success. I didn’t foresee goals at Ibrox or Hampden in a cup final.
Expectations went through the roof when we paid £9 million for him. And the fact is, I do feel a bit sorry for him, because he’s carrying the weight of that fee—when he had absolutely no part in the negotiations that produced that number.
Every player who moves for a big fee is under the spotlight—or so you’d think. But I reckon Idah is under a harsher spotlight than even Arne Engels, who is our record signing. And that might just be because he plays as a striker. Strikers always get that extra level of scrutiny—they’re expected to win games.
I’ve lamented before that I can’t see what it is he’s not doing that some people want to see from him—what it is, in their eyes, that would justify the price tag. I still don’t know the answer to that, and I’ve asked it a hundred times.
What I do know is that even the most vocal critic will admit that the focus on his off-field life is just not on. It’s not a legitimate line of attack. And it pisses us all off.
It pisses off the manager too. And the players have made it clear that he’s still pissed off about it—and he should be.
Because we’re criticising the guy for having a social life. That’s it. That’s what this boils down to. And I don’t believe that should be tolerated—by any player, at any club. So, I was glad to see that Idah didn’t just defend himself from it—he slapped it down hard.
And you know what? Adversity like this—the kind you wouldn’t expect—will be the making of the man and the player.
Honestly, no joke—I can’t wait to watch that guy in the coming campaign. This is how you achieve growth; you come through criticism stronger for it. When you learn that the critics can’t stop you, it goes a long way to making you unshakeable.
The criticism regarding his off field activities is bang out of order, as long as that is an isolated incident and doesn’t happen on a regular basis. If that flak does make him a more determined player with a positive attitude then I welcome that as well, but whether that process makes him a better player remains to be seen. He is certainly a very good player, but their seems to be a missing spark, the ‘x’ factor that makes some players special, Kyogo had it, but I don’t think Adam will ever get to that lofty level in my opinion. He is fine as a back-up to the main striker.
At 24 he isn’t a young man anymore. We should be expecting more from him. His work rate isn’t great, he doesn’t link up and doesn’t scare defenders the way Kyogo or Maeda do. The fact Maeda was placed ahead of him when Kyogo left speaks volumes. The fee isn’t his fault but we definitely over paid for him.
He does score goals but so does Dessers and we wouldn’t want him playing for us. Will be interesting to see his response if, and when, we bring another forward in.
I don’t think many fans are bothered about any off field issues, I only get what’s happening in the papers from blogs such as this.
Totally agree with PatC. When Kyogo left the fact that the manager went for someone who had previously played wide rather than him must have hurt.
Given that we will probably buy a new centre forward in the window he will probably find himself benched again.
We still need tae buy another striker in along with him. One who has experience and will be ready for Europe. That should be our first focus. If we strengthen properly for Europe, the domestic campaign will take care of itself. A hard defensive midfielder should be a priority, along with a CD and winger. Hopefully, our board won’t see the underwhelming appointment across the city, as an excuse tae gamble and become negligent with our own signins.
I think the lad is a good player but he does not suit Rodgers’ probing pish. The lad did not get a look in in the final, as the sideways and backward passing was so slow and no crosses were being delivered. Unless our system changes, I worry for him that he is at the wrong club.
If Maeda signs a new contract at Celtic next year and we spend a lot of money for a new striker I think Adam will leave Celtic.
Otherwise I would be happy if he stays and has another 20 goal season.
Celtic will have to play more direct to suit his game.
What I like about The Celtic Blog site is that the criticism of any player is limited and realistic, with none of the over the top slagging you find on some other Celtic sites.
As far as Idah being a success or failure goes , I would say that he has been a limited success, some people are judging him as a 9 million signing, that was the price because our negotiators didn’t agree a fee to buy, before taking him on loan. I’m pretty sure Norwich would have agreed a fee of 4 or 5 million in January 2024, signing players and the fee paid is always a gamble.
Football these days is a squad game, and Idah and Engels have been good members of the Squad. I’ve got a feeling we’ll see the best of both of them next season.
Love this guy. He just needs game time. Don’t know why BR can’t play him along side Maeda through the middle.
MON played Larsson, Sutton and Hartson together.
Delighted that Adam told he was gonna carry on regardless…
Which I suspect he did with the blessing of Brendan by the way…
I mean – He was fuckin sick on a night out – Who isn’t…
Bet ya the ‘reporter’ from The Scummy’s has been as well…
Jeez – I was out on an Irish band night last week and was bloody well sick on the way home and I’m in ma mid fifties as well – It happens and feel free to print that ya lurking Scummy Scottish Football Media Bastards !