If Adam Idah is the extent of Celtic’s ambition, then we really are in trouble…
Eric Knott 
Last night, the rumour that we were interested in Norwich City’s Adam Idah began to circulate.
To say I was underwhelmed would be an understatement.
If this is the “quality” we’re after, then Mark Lawwell’s estimation of “quality”, and Brendan Rodgers’ must be on completely different scales.
At 22, on a loan to buy deal, Idah is yet another project.
If I was a betting man, I’d be headed to the bookies, because I can pretty much guarantee you if he comes in, the asking price will be…..??
You guessed it, £3 million.
Peter Lawwell and Mark Lawell’s go to number.
The big question here, though, is this, is Adam Idah the kind of “quality” Brendan Rodgers will sign off on?
He does not fit that category, in my opinion.
This has all the hallmarks of another signing being foisted on the manager.
Chris Sutton is not impressed with the rumours either.
Here’s what he had to say about Idah:
Chris Sutton on the potential
signing of Adam Idah: ⬇️“My fear is that Idah will struggle to displace Celtic’s other strikers & isn’t any better than Oh. He’s a development player and I’m not sure that’s what Celtic needs. I really hope he knows what he’s getting himself into” pic.twitter.com/u64GKNrZCb
— Craig (@CraigCelt) January 31, 2024
If this is true I’m not sure with the greatest respect it’s an upgrade on Oh… Idah needs to get away from Norwich and has potential but has had potential for years but he’s 100% in the development category and a long way from the finished article.
A long way from the finished article….
Project.
I can only imagine that Brendan Rodgers is laughing at this one.
No offence to Adam Idah, and I wish him all the best.
I’m Irish, and I want every Irish player to succeed.
More than that, I love more than anything when Celtic signs Irish players.
But Idah is not the type of quality signing we’re looking for.
He might be in another couple of years, but right now, he doesn’t fit the bill.
He has 99 appearances for Norwich, with a return of 12 goals.
12 goals.
No exactly prolific, is he?
Could he be prolific for Celtic?
Sure he could, but because he’s not really tried and tested, who’s to know?
That’s the gamble you take when signing projects.
You never quite know what you’re going to get.
You might get a Jota.
Or alternatively, you might get a Lagerbielke.
It’s kind of like a lucky dip.
But if Adam Idah is the extent of our ambition, then we really are in trouble.
Why?
Because the wishes of the manager are being completely ignored.
Brendan Rodgers has stressed, consistently of late, that he requires quality.
4 players at least.
He requirements are not being met.
So, either he is being willfully ignored, or the person tasked with delivering the quality he requires is utterly incapable of doing so.
I suspect that either of these scenarios are entirely plausible.
If he is being ignored, then eventually he will tire of these kinds of antics, and find a club that is capable of meeting the needs of the playing squad he manages.
If the person charged with player recruitment is not fit for purpose, then Rodgers should vocalise that he requires someone who is fit for purpose.
Regardless of his family connections.
Someone who can actually augment the squad in a professional, and diligent way.
This club is not a “jobs for the boys club.”
Mark Lawwell has had more than enough time to prepare for this window.
The fact that we are now scrambling around the loans and basement bargains bin at this stage is testament to the fact he is incapable of fulfilling the role he’s tasked with.
As I write, news is just in that Idah is undergoing a medical in London before joining Celtic.
However, there is no loan to buy option at the end of the deal, which only runs until the end of the season.
This further proves the shambolic, and haphazard nature of our transfer operation.
The most underwhelming window in living memory, if you ask me.
It reeks of amateur hour.
This folks, is where our club is now at.
I pointed it out clearly in my last article.
The longer we accept it, the worse it will get.
This is our reality.
It will never change unless we bring about change.
There are thousands of us, and a handful of them.
Yet they have full control over the club we love, and they’re destroying it.
How long more will you allow this to go on?
Well, that’s up to you.
If you’re willing to accept it, then put up, or shut up.
If you’re not, then do something about it.
Aodhán Ó Conchobhair 
Thought it was supose to be high quality we were getting not the dregs from the bottom
My god is this the upgrade that rogers said we need what is going on with Celtic someone has a hidden agenda I think we can say goodbye to the title now
Time is up for LawellS to get out of our club they are laughing at every Celtic Supporter while picking up a big fat pay checks and bonuses we are sick and tired of the way these fuckin idiots are running the Club 🍀🍀🍀
Total shambolic it’s not that we’ve not got the cash it’s lying in the bank and the skint shower across the city signings galore I’m afraid the way things are the title is gone Lawwell at it again get rid now ☘️☘️
This Celtic board have no vision long term.
Absolutely shambolic
Dragging the club backwards. Patrick
Fans deserve better quality.
We need to put the squeeze on Desmond to sell his shareholding. He’s treating the club like a toy and the fans know it . We need a total clear out of the club from boardroom right down to ground staff . I’ve honestly never been as sick of the club as I am at present. Nepotism is rife and we need rid of the jobs for the boys culture .I wish the club were as quick in the transfer window as they are dealing with fans unrest . Time for demonstrations is coming unfortunately.
If I was still a betting man ( retired ) , I’d say that Brendan Rodgers is so disgusted with the lack of transfer activity that he has given the board his notice to call it quits at the end of the season . If my hunch is correct , why would they spend millions on new players when the new coach may not like or want the purchases ? There is definitely something not adding up behind closed doors at Celtic Park because if you don’t want UEFA to give £60 million pounds for qualification to the UCL ,you are in the wrong business and sport !
My sentiments entirely John. I’ve been thinking the exact same thing. I plan on doing an article to that effect this evening. It really is starting to look that way.
In the Summer the board reached out to Rodgers who was having a sabbatical. He came with the assurances that the quality he required would be brought in. However here we are with hours left of the transfer window and all we have is a £3m guy from Austria and a Norwich reject.
Time for change.
To Right Men The Board are kidding the ordenre Celtic Supporter s I said it before wants you had the 2 Lawell double act back in the gates of Celtic Park only going 1 way Worse than old Board 1 miss Matt Mc Clone now
I totally agree with John Copeland it looks like a new manager come the summer thanks to a board an owner who are by there well by date.I have been a Celtic fan for Sixty years have experienced the good and the bad years but now is the time for change.An owner who would rather play golf on last day of transfer day says it all.The quality players are long gone IMO.
You have nailed this from the very start Eric, one of the few who have done so, minus the equivocation of others.
Keep up the good work.
I’m a Norwich fan who lives in Glasgow. I’ve watched Idah over the 5 seasons since he started getting time in the Canaries first team. Unfortunately he never seems to improve. You can get away with being a ‘prospect’ for a season or two, but 5 years! He’s third choice at a very average Championship side. What Celtic are doing signing him is a complete mystery.
Everyone knew at the start of this campaign that the number one priority was the league title as there is a 60 million ticket for the champions of Scotland. There is no excuses for this sorry mess we find ourselves in. Not for one minute is it possible our board do not or did not know this, therefore there are only two senators either they are totally incompetent or there is a hidden agenda, which ever it is, it’s time for change
HH
Superb piece Eric. I agree 💯. The Lawwells are destroying our club. Worst transfer window ever
AND Idah is even more injury prone than me. God help us
💚🍀
A Celtic fan who lived in Norwich for 3 years, I still watch what’s happening. Idah is no donkey, different to Kyogo and Oh. Give the guy a chance, Cantwell got on ok when he arrived in Glasgow. If we rubbish him first Idah has no chance.
this is an absolute disgrace typical lawwell/rodgers never should have been allowed near the club. Ange give us two year of absolute football and control. this is a mess needs sorted either fans should leave or the following jokes. if this is quality might as well have Beale in charge.ffs Celtic wise up
never liked Rodgers his football
Is slow and rubbish to watch and can’t spot a quality player in the transfer market Celtic fans want the Celtic football fast and attacking the Celtic way.the hidden agenda is to let
Rangers win the title get Rodgers lawells Desmond and
Deadwood out of the club HH
Nepotism is also rife right through the club.Mark Lawell.Gordon Strachan’s two sons involved,one a coach from Peterborough.John Kennedy,bombproof,been there way too long.Darren O Dea,and Stephen McManus in charge of B team.The place is rotten top to bottom.
never liked Rodgers his football is slow and boring to watch.he can’t spot a quality player in the transfer market. He has destroyed our best player in Kyogo with his tactics.
Celtic fans want to see the Celtic way attacking football.
The hidden agenda is rangers to win the title.get Rodgers lawells Desmond and deadwood out of the club.
They drive the support insane through their inaction & hoarding of money, then they wait until the support are ready to tear them limb from limb before doing anything & even then it’s sub par!
They’re one of the most frustrating things in most fans lives right now when they should be the opposite!
Let that mob win the title are you of your head !!!!
Let that mob win the title are you of your head !!!! Never would a true celtic fan want them to get to their second league title
Why r u all so negative for a start january has always been a bad month to sign anyone at 82 Yr old av seen a lot about this club get behind them stop the negative u all slaughterd kenryk but I knew about him before he came look at the lions worst team I ever saw all became world beaters
This Board is patently not fit for purpose. They only understand money. So, how do we express our discontent? Can’t do what we did with the regime before Fergus, because of season ticket situation. How do we hurt them financially? Boycott all League Cup, Scottish Cup and European games. Do not purchase club merchandise. Hurting them financially is the only way possible. I fear the title is already lost.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Rodgers left again in summer 2024, or 2025. Also I have a bad feeling CCV is becoming injury prone? And we just gave him a new deal as well 🙁
You all seem to listen and read without hearing or listening.
Brenden Rodgers stated the transfer window he came back as manger he wanted to assess the squad and there would not be any drastic change.
He assessed the squad and then stated he wanted quality in to bolster the squad and add power and pace over the next two windows… this is window one. Which is NEVER the transfer window that realistic permanent transfers are done.
We have brought in a wide man who has pace and fits Rodgers wide man roll. We have got a loan of a striker who adds height, power and pace to the attack.
We still require cover for left back… the window is not closed and yes it might be a loan.
As Brendan Rodgers stated loans are not a bad thing and this is to get us through to the summer ‘thats all’ thats the main target just now.
If you also listened to the manager he stated Analytics and Data is only a part of the process and ‘HE’ prefers to speak to the players who are approached face to face. If they do not want to speak to manager or the agents are reluctant ‘that’s a big No’
People shooting the Irish boy down already before he’s even set foot in the stadium. One thing for sure is Brendan spoke to him and he is hunger and want to come.
The boy has 22 caps for Ireland and gave big VVD a torrid time.
We do have a decent squad and time to back the team regardless of who starts the matches.
In response to your long winded comment TimAlloy, I’ll keep it simple. Rodgers asked for 4 quality players, he didn’t get them. Whether you accept it or not, he’s being ignored, either through incompetence, or by design. He is a professional, and there’s only so much a professional will take of amateur hour behaviour. He’s getting that in spades at Celtic at the moment, and that will eventually take it’s toll. I’m not shooting Idah down either, but he is untested, therefore a project, a gamble, and a squad filler. Not quality.