I actually thought he played pretty well today. Penalty miss was terrible though. His hold up play was good all through and I felt like he was one of Celtics better players on a day when too many were crap. He had a couple of chances that he might have scored.
Its really not that complicated!!!
He's actually developing into a very traditional centre forward. I was thinking watching the City v United game that his role and his attributes (size, strength, pace...) are v similar to Haaland's and taht if I was coaching him I'd be telling him to study Haaland meticulously. Then Haaland cleared the crossbar from 5 yards!
I thgought he did well yesterday too, but obviouisly the pen miss was critical. I guessed he'd go central. Having gone both sides already I figured he'd fall victim to reverse psychology.
Was talking to a Celtic fan (not Irish so no bias) who was at their midweek game last week. Said he was sitting up fairly high and because the game was so one sided he ended up spending a good but of the game just watching Idah's play. His opinion was that he was more impressed by Idah's all round play than any Celtic striker he had seen for a few years - he was constantly on the move, trying to find space and making himself available as an outlet. He's disappointed Celtic didn't agree an option to buy as part of the loan and fears they may be outbid for him in the summer.
Keane O'Shea Given Best Smallbone
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soc...me-their-hero/
Piece by Michael Walker on Idah's impact. Provides some good context to his Norwich impact - 115 appearances, 76 from the bench and of the 39 starts he has only played 90 minutes in 12. So of his 115 appearances, less than 10% have seen him start and finish the game. Obviously there are the overarching challenges of form, confidence and injury but a lot of belts to take either not named in the starting team or looking over your shoulder for a shepherds hook 90% of the time...
I guess that just really backs up the idea he should have gone on loan a lot earlier. He's had chances in the first team but ultimately hasn't been good enough to stake a claim for a regular starting spot.
Norwich are flying since he left - 4-0 up at halftime today which would make it five wins and two draws from eight games. 19 goals in that time - 7 for Sergeant, 3 for Sara.
Obviously not saying Idah was holding them back - but does make you wonder where he'll be next season. They've Rowe to come back from injury too (he's out for Feb/March)
Back on the bench today at home v St Johnstone, which is a bit disappointing. Hopefully he can have the same impact as his last start from the bench (two goals v Motherwell)
Scales not in the squad as feared - has to be a doubt for the March friendlies.
I think the false 9 was the biggest tactical abomination in my lifetime. But not Pep’s brainchild I think.
Not able to watch but credited with an assis t for an O'Riley goal. If I'm Rodgers I'm not starting him a whole pile either in games like today. Might snag him in the summer a little easier if he's coming in and having an impact rather than starting him over an asset like Furuhashi. Kyogo is 29 too so maybe time to sell and replace with Idah to mix up style too.
Will be interesting few months for Celtic. Title tilt, fall out or celebrations and aftermath.
Get ta fook in. Celtic legend
A shame for Idah. Another time he does that and he's the hero and gets all the plaudits after the game. Today, through absolutely no fault of his own, he got about 30 seconds coverage in the post game analysis and was nowhere to be seen in the TV interviews.
I do think his goal earned them a crucial point though. I wouldn't have fancied them to hang on for a 2-2 had he not scored it.
Keane O'Shea Given Best Smallbone
Agreed. Disappointed not to hang on but my overriding emotion is to be gutted for Idah. Denied a career-establishing goal. Yang was terrible for the equaliser but it was great execution.
Another late sub appearance and another later sub goal today. 7 in 10 since joining Celtic, but only four starts, which is disappointing. You'd imagine her have been keen to try shake the image of super-sub he seemed to have at Norwich
Still another goal all the same though. He's building a nice tally and you'd have to think Celtic will want to make the move permanent in the summer, even if he costs a sizeable fee by Scottish football standards.
Keane O'Shea Given Best Smallbone
It's down to Rogers insistence of playing 1 striker instead of trying to get Kyogo and Idah into the team together. Even so, Idah has been excellent and I'd love to see him move permanently..... a conspiracy theorist might suggest Celtic keeping him on bench to keep the transfer fee down
Its really not that complicated!!!
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