Adam Idah F. Celtic b.2001

[weldoninhio]

I actually think Celtic are missing an advanced paymaker, someone like Rogic who they never quite replaced. I haven't followed Rodgers' career like some here have but I don't think he favours this type of player. Dare I say it, I think Parrott is the type of player who they need. McGregor is great at joining things up but he's deeper lying. Hatate's energy was missed.

They had one, he went to Brighton for £25m.

[Stuttgart88]

O'Riley? He's more of an orthodox midfielder I'd have thought. More similar to Hatate and Bernardo in style. Certainly not the type of player I'd describe as "advanced playmaker". The type of player I had in mind would be more like Odergaard.

[Eirambler]

Or Azaz? (I doubt they could afford him)

[Stuttgart88]

Azaz is very much the type of player Celtic could use, but I think the time to move for him has passed.

[pineapple stu]

On the mark in his first pre-season game (having missed the game in Cork he was promoting!), but Celtic are 3-2 down against Estrela - who stayed up in the Portuguese top flight on the last day - with 10 to go. Obviously pre-season games aren't ones to get too caught up about the result.

[rebelmusic]

Doesn't seem to be having a great pre-season. I haven't seen any of the games. I know he's been carrying an injury.. anyone seen any of the matches? Really need Idah, Ferguson and Troy firing on all cylinders leading up to the qualifiers

[Demesne Lad]

John Hartson isn't impressed: Celtic Urged To Strengthen As Adam Idah Questioned | Latest Celtic News (https://celtsarehere.com/celtic-urged-to-strengthen-as-adam-idah-questioned/)

Johnny Kenny seen by some Celtic fans as the one to succeed: 'Incredible' - How Celtic fans now view Johnny Kenny and Adam Idah in the striking pecking order (https://www.67hailhail.com/news/incredible-how-celtic-fans-now-view-johnny-kenny-and-adam-idah-in-the-striking-pecking-order/)

[Eirambler]

Kenny cost them next to nothing so expectations are non-existent for him. Idah cost them £9m so he's expected to hit 30 goals a season. They're not being judged by the same metrics. But the fact that Celtic would happily sell Kenny for around a million tomorrow tells it's own story.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Kenny cost them next to nothing so expectations are non-existent for him. Idah cost them £9m so he's expected to hit 30 goals a season. They're not being judged by the same metrics. But the fact that Celtic would happily sell Kenny for around a million tomorrow tells it's own story.
Idah is not and never will be a 30 goal a season striker (20 goals would be a really good season) - he is capable of being responsible for another 20 goals by what he does on the pitch. Saying that - he does need to pick things up a bit.

[tetsujin1979]

He got twenty goals last season

[Eirambler]

Not sure if the post was meant more in terms of league goals. He scored 13 in 35 games last season. Not awful, but certainly not spectacular either, given the level. His 3 in 10 in the Champions League was probably more impressive given the higher standard of opposition.

[elatedscum]

Idah is not and never will be a 30 goal a season striker (20 goals would be a really good season) - he is capable of being responsible for another 20 goals by what he does on the pitch. Saying that - he does need to pick things up a bit.

He got twenty goals last season

Not sure if the post was meant more in terms of league goals. He scored 13 in 35 games last season. Not awful, but certainly not spectacular either, given the level. His 3 in 10 in the Champions League was probably more impressive given the higher standard of opposition.

In fairness, a 30 goal a season campaign in the SPL has happened once in the last 19 years. I kinda think that if you're talking about 30 goal striker, you have to be talking all competitions.

Idah scored 20 goals (+1 internationally) last season in all comps. He played 46% of Celtic's total minutes and 49% of his available minutes (removing injuries and the 2 games before he re-signed). So his numbers need to be viewed in that context.

In terms of the 35 games in the league, that's 1 90 minute appearance, 18 where he starts and is brought off and another 16 off the bench. Kyogo for example in his golden boot season played 71% of minutes. Edouard played 87% of minutes in his best golden boot season (22 goals). If you gave Idah 80% of league minutes, instead of 49% - he probably gets close to 20 goals in the league and close to 30 in all comps...

[pineapple stu]

If you gave Idah 80% of league minutes, instead of 49% - he probably gets close to 20 goals in the league and close to 30 in all comps...
Well he might - except that he generally seemed to be less effective when starting a game, and more adept even coming on fresh against tired/demoralised defenders who were already a goal or two down. So the maths doesn't necessarily apply to real life.

He had a strange season last season - 20 isn't a bad haul (though Anthony Stokes managed it four times, once for Hibs, and rarely got a look at international level) but the criticisms of his game didn't seem to go away. Poor first touch, often anonymous, maybe not the best footballing brain, questions around his attitude too, which may or may not be harsh.

Be interesting to see how this season goes. Celtic fans on their message boards seem unimpressed with his pre-season so far

[elatedscum]

You might be right but not really sure the numbers back that up. 13 of his 20 goals came in games where he played the majority of the game. He’s a pretty streaky, confidence based player. When he’s starting and in form, he scores goals for fun. When he’s lost confidence, he can’t buy a goal

[pineapple stu]

Hmmm, fair. It doesn't quite feel that way and I had to double-check, but can't argue with it. Consistency does seem to be an issue alright - and when he contributes so little else (practically no assists for example) then it gets noticed more.

But sure let's see how the season goes I guess. He fell back a little last year from his loan spell, and little things like getting sick in the taxi just take away a bit of breathing room from the critics too (for right or wrong; people expect footballers to be almost inhuman at times)

[Jolly Red Giant]

Hmmm, fair. It doesn't quite feel that way and I had to double-check, but can't argue with it. Consistency does seem to be an issue alright - and when he contributes so little else (practically no assists for example) then it gets noticed more.

The assists stat is a bit of a misnomer - what Idah is good at it pulling defenders out of position leaving space for other attackers. It is a very important part of his game and it mostly goes unnoticed. I like Idah - I think he is underrated - he reminds me of Frank Stapleton (not in the same class) - does a lot of things that don't get noticed by fans.

He does lack consistency and blows hot and cold - that is something he needs to sort out in his head. Now he is still only 24 and can sort that out - players are taking a lot longer to mature these days than in times past.

[elatedscum]

Speaking of 20 goal a season strikers, I just saw that Gyokores scored 20 penalties last season. Wildest stat I’ve seen in a while

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/viktor-gyokeres/elfmetertore/spieler/325443/saison_id/2024/wettbewerb_id//plus/1#/

If Idah could get on a few more pens this season, he’s a good penalty taker, that’s another route to 30 goals. Edouard took 7 penalties (scoring 5) during his golden boot season. My memory last year was that Idah won more penalties than he scored (he took 1 penalty and scored it)

[Razors left peg]

Seen somewhere on Social media that Udinese are supposedly interested in him. Not a great source but he could do well in Serie A I think

[zero]

gets the nod to start the season opener. a goal or two would be expected. bit of pressure on.

[pineapple stu]

Scales starting ahead of Trusty too, which is good to see.

Kenny on the bench; interesting to see if he gets any game time this side of Christmas.

[elatedscum]

Scales moved to LB at 60 mins when Tierney went off injured. Idah smashed the post from a Scales cross at 70 mins. Possibly should have scored. Kenny on for Idah now (77 mins). Tunde Sobawele just on for St Mirren and having an immediate impact with his first touch

[Razors left peg]

Scales moved to LB at 60 mins when Tierney went off injured. Idah smashed the post from a Scales cross at 70 mins. Possibly should have scored. Kenny on for Idah now (77 mins). Tunde Sobawele just on for St Mirren and having an immediate impact with his first touch

He should have scored, but I thought the composure initially to control it on the chest was brilliant. It would have been excellent goal.

I actually thought the service into Idah all day was crap, he was making good runs at times and they were faffing around with extra midfield passes

[Eirambler]

I see he was ranked a distant last in the (public determined) Celtic player ratings on the BBC website. Suggests that he's going to have his work cut out to get the support base back on his side this season.

[Razors left peg]

I see he was ranked a distant last in the (public determined) Celtic player ratings on the BBC website. Suggests that he's going to have his work cut out to get the support base back on his side this season.

Thats a load of b0llocks tbh for anyone actually watched the game without a pre determined agenda. The online fans dont like him, think a bit to do with John Hartson constantly having a go. Hes not Levandowski, but hes a good player, but there are definitely a large number of Celtic fans who think that players should be signed with the intention of competing with the likes of Real Madrid

[elatedscum]

He should have scored, but I thought the composure initially to control it on the chest was brilliant. It would have been excellent goal.

I actually thought the service into Idah all day was crap, he was making good runs at times and they were faffing around with extra midfield passes

didn't see the entire game but this is exactly what i thought regarding both regarding the chance and the service in general. I thought the new Swedish winger was awful. Deliveries were shocking. By the end, it felt like Idah had given up hope that he'd get it and stopped making the run a few times and ended up running half speed from deep. Kenny didn't get any service either, bar that one delivery that the defender made a last ditch slide to put out for a corner. Alaister Johnston had a simple ball to square across the box to Kenny, which would have presumably led to a goal and he couldn't do that.

Maeda really needed to finish the chance that Sobowele snuffed out. I'd be more annoyed by that than Idah's chance...

[Eirambler]

Thats a load of b0llocks tbh for anyone actually watched the game without a pre determined agenda. The online fans dont like him, think a bit to do with John Hartson constantly having a go. Hes not Levandowski, but hes a good player, but there are definitely a large number of Celtic fans who think that players should be signed with the intention of competing with the likes of Real Madrid

It feels like the narrative has been pre-written in the media though, and the Celtic fans are running with it. Basically he's going to get hammered in any game he doesn't score in this season. For instance look at this section of the BBC match report:

What was the main talking point?

A lot has been said about Celtic's summer transfer business - not least by Rodgers - and the lack of a new striker has been a major talking point.

Adam Idah was given a chance to stake his claim to lead the line, but struggled to make an impact.

The Ireland international did find himself in decent areas at times, and used his physicality to hold up the ball, but was repeatedly caught offside and rarely threatened to score.

Further questions will be asked as to whether he's the man to lead the Celtic attack.

[pineapple stu]

Rated lowest bar Yang on whoscored too, which isn't a public vote. 6.26 not a great rating. Yang got 6.07 and also came in for a fair bit of stick on the Celtic forum.

It's only one game of course, but it does seem common issues are arising again - being offside too often, not getting much of a sniff of goal, poor first touch, etc

Scales given man of the match (8.15)

[Predator]

I feel for Idah and Scales. On the whole, both players have done well for Celtic, but seem to get hammered by their fans. Idah has never been a prolific striker, but he is a good man to hold the ball up and bring others into it. Rodgers said he was "excellent" yesterday. Scales being statistically the strongest performer on whoscored, yet I saw one comment yesterday from a fan complaining about his performance, suggesting that Trusty "looked so much better when he came on". If he is better, why wasn't he starting?

[ifk101]

Rated lowest bar Yang on whoscored too, which isn't a public vote. 6.26 not a great rating.

Questionable. He's rated 6.1 now. Scales is now 8.5. Didn't think Idah was great yesterday, and didn't think there was anything exceptional in the performance of Scales. Would be nice to know exactly how these ratings are (actually) calculated ...

[nigel-harps1954]

Thats a load of b0llocks tbh for anyone actually watched the game without a pre determined agenda. The online fans dont like him, think a bit to do with John Hartson constantly having a go. Hes not Levandowski, but hes a good player, but there are definitely a large number of Celtic fans who think that players should be signed with the intention of competing with the likes of Real Madrid

There's a strong case for the most delusional support base in world football.

[John83]

Questionable. He's rated 6.1 now. Scales is now 8.5. Didn't think Idah was great yesterday, and didn't think there was anything exceptional in the performance of Scales. Would be nice to know exactly how these ratings are (actually) calculated ...
The scores are determined by algorithms. The inputs to the algorithms are generated by humans essentially annotating games, recording passes, shots, runs, etc. along with outcomes. (Which is, it must be said, a blooming awful job.) There's some potential for bias, but much less than fan ratings. I think I recall some of this described in Kuper's book Soccernomics.

[Razors left peg]

There's a strong case for the most delusional support base in world football.
As a Celtic fan myself I have to agree that there is a fair bit of truth to that at times

[pineapple stu]

It's a very strange league - I can kind of understand how that'd arise. The big games are the ones where you're testing yourself against Barca or Bayern. But those games end in absolute hammerings as often as not, so it's clearly not their level, but I can understand how you'd look up to find your level rather than think it's St Mirren or Ross County (which equally isn't their level)

[Eirambler]

Another blank for Idah at a moment in his Celtic career when it feels like he needed a strong run more than ever.

Early evidence suggests that the opposition looks weak enough this season that they can win the league without a heavy scoring centre forward, but there will be a huge push from fans and the media to sign a replacement for Adam this month nonetheless.

[Razors left peg]

He was poor overall today too. His hold up play wasn't good enough

[Stuttgart88]

I feel for Idah and Scales. On the whole, both players have done well for Celtic, but seem to get hammered by their fans. Idah has never been a prolific striker, but he is a good man to hold the ball up and bring others into it. Rodgers said he was "excellent" yesterday. Scales being statistically the strongest performer on whoscored, yet I saw one comment yesterday from a fan complaining about his performance, suggesting that Trusty "looked so much better when he came on". If he is better, why wasn't he starting?

I thought Scales was very good against St Mirren in both positions. Solid enough yesterday too, one daft lunge and a misplaced pass aside.

I think Idah needs a goal soon. His chest & volley that hit the post against St Mirren would have been the perfect season start - a crucial opening goal in a tight game was just what he needed. I think he did the hard bit well but really should have scored.

[SkStu]

Kenny gets the nod ahead of Idah tonight.

[Razors left peg]

Kenny gets the nod ahead of Idah tonight.

Few changes for the cup

[pineapple stu]

Pity - could have done with a goal to kick start the season, bit like against the same side last year

[Razors left peg]

I havent been able to watch it, but Idah was hooked at half time in Champ league game today. Id worry for him now

[pineapple stu]

Starts against Kairat in the Champions League, but taken off at halftime after another ineffective display. He was far from the only one in fairness, but he'll have done little to silence the critics.

Good to see Scales still keeping his place though

Edit - Celtic much more lively the first ten minutes of the second half, though that could be as much to do with a rocket to the arse from Rodgers as the Idaho/Yang sub. But Yang is definitely more involved.

Kairat have a good home record in Europe. Celtic will really want a lead going out there I'd say.

[SkStu]

I havent been able to watch it, but Idah was hooked at half time in Champ league game today. Id worry for him now

very much so...not even Kenny to come on for him to offer us a bit of solace...

I think i saw that Ogbene is in the stands ahead of a possible move?

[pineapple stu]

Haven't heard Ogbene mentioned on commentary anyway? But they've mentioned the links with Vardy, who'd obviously challenge for Idah's spot straight off

[nigel-harps1954]

very much so...not even Kenny to come on for him to offer us a bit of solace...

I think i saw that Ogbene is in the stands ahead of a possible move?

That'd be a terrible backwards move for him.

[Razors left peg]

That'd be a terrible backwards move for him.

Celtic have enough with one injury prone winger in Jota I would think.

[nigel-harps1954]

Turns out it wasn't Idah at fault at all as Celtic were rubbish in the second half too.

[Eirambler]

Useless against a deep lying defence, as usual. Needs space to run into more than most strikers do so gets found out badly in games like this (but can look good against stronger teams).

[SkStu]

That'd be a terrible backwards move for him.


Celtic have enough with one injury prone winger in Jota I would think.

coming clean... I saw it on YBIG actually so yeah...grain of salt...

[pineapple stu]

Kairat have only lost three out of 32 continental qualifiers in their history (including a couple of Asian games). It's a serious record and they may be favourites now. There'll be a lot of added pressure on their striking options if Celtic do end up in the Europa League - Idah in particular obviously, but Kenny too given he's not really done anything to show he's at the level Celtic see themselves at.

On the flip side, Kairat's keeper (who was very solid) is likely injured for it now, and their 17-year-old wunderkid forward who's off to Chelsea as soon as he turns 18 will miss the game after a daft yellow in the last minute.

Interesting times ahead there.

[Stuttgart88]

Celtic were dire last night, though funnily enough I think Scales played well. If Scales had made the error CCV made social media would have exploded.

Idah was anonymous and on the rare occasion he had anything to do he either misplaced his layoff or was slow on the turn. Maeda was just as bad.

Fascinating second leg alright. I still fancy Celtic especially given the GK injury and striker suspension Stu mentions above.

Celtic are crying out for an attacking playmaker, someone who can undo the low block. Tom Rogic springs to mind. A forward who can drop deep, or a midfielder who can support the attack. Finn Azaz type player.