Chris Sutton on the Celtic deal that has to be concluded

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The Celtic Star

·7. Juli 2024

Chris Sutton on the Celtic deal that has to be concluded

Chris Sutton, with his inside knowledge of Norwich City, failed to provide Adam Idah with a positive endorsement when he arrived at Celtic on loan from the Championship side early in February.

Alongside Nicolas Kuhn, the £3m signing from Rapid Vienna, Idah was one of two winter window signings and it’s fair to say that the Celtic support was also looking for much more.

Idah was struggling for game-time at Norwich and was even the target of some of the Carrow Road whipping boys, goals were hard to come by and there was a realisation that a loan move would suit all parties.

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Idah’s lucky changed when Brendan Rodgers, who remembered Idah from his time at Leicester City, nudged the Celtic board to sign a player in his direction, but frustratingly, maybe because of it all happening in the closing days of the transfer window, no option to buy was arranged.

The Irish international came off the bench at Pittodrie, setting up fellow new arrival Kuhn to grab a Celtic equaliser on the day the Celtic Bhoys displayed the On Your Heads By It banner aimed at the Celtic Board

His last goal involvement was to coolly dispatch the 90th minute rebound at Hampden in the Scottish Cup final on 25 May against theRangers and since then every Celtic supporter has been anxious to get the deal done with Norwich City to bring Idah back to Glasgow.

That too is the player’s preference, so while Chris Sutton is happy put his one hands up to admit that Rodgers got it right and he got it wrong as far as how Idah would perform as a Celtic player, his is also insistent that the Celtic Board must get the deal done. Norwich City too, according to their former player, has to be realistic too and realise where Idah was with them prior to his loan move to Celtic.

Adam Idah wants to play for Celtic in the Champions League, not Norwich City in the Championship and there’s little to be gained by frustrating that desire.

Writing in his weekly column in Daily Record, Chris Sutton reviewed the situation that has developed and has plenty of advice for two of his former clubs, which both should heed. Even if Sutton called it wrong at the start of the year.

“Adam Idah has already proven his worth to Celtic. That has its own value in terms of Brendan Rodgers and the squad. It’s why this deal needs to be sealed. Idah came up trumps for Celtic last season at the time when he was really needed,” Sutton said.

“Credit to Rodgers. I wasn’t sure the striker would be able to deliver in the manner that he did, but he proved himself adept and the manager was correct. It wasn’t just the goals Idah scored, it was the importance of them. Big strikes at key times. The last-minute penalty at Hibs and goal at Motherwell were pivotal in the title race and kept Celtic going forward,” the former Celtic striker stated.

“The opener at Kilmarnock on title-clinching night then top it all off, the winner in the last minute of a Scottish Cup final against Rangers. Now I’m not saying Celtic should just bow to Norwich’s every whim here. Negotiations are always delicate and there is give and take in any deal.

“Norwich have to be realistic. Idah had lost his way there. He even said he didn’t feel wanted, so who’s to say that, despite getting the confidence boost from his efforts in Glasgow, he wouldn’t return to being a bit part player in the Championship?” Sutton asked.

“Celtic also have to be realistic and know that here is a guy who has proven himself. It’s not always easy for players to settle into the club with the demands and expectations. Better players than Idah have gone into that environment and not been able to deliver for whatever reason. The fact Idah has shown he can do it means there was always going to be a couple of quid added to the fee.

“It would be daft of Norwich not to push up their demands because they are aware that Celtic are getting a proven performer into their ranks. So, as with most deals, both parties are going to have to give a little to get it over the line. But the facts are it has to be done. When Rodgers comes out immediately after the Scottish Cup Final and says he wants it done for the next season, the onus is on the board to do it,” Sutton said.

“To be honest, with the future of Oh Hyeon-gyu appearing to lie elsewhere given the interest shown in him and his drop down the pecking order when Idah arrived, it’s crucial. Celtic may have to shell out a little more than they would like to get it over the line. but Idah is no project now. He has shown he is the real deal and that’s why, even if they have to go a little further in the spend, it’s a deal that has to be concluded.”

Sutton is right and everything points to a deal being sorted and hopefully Idah is on the plane for the three pre-season games in the States.

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