Adam Idah has secured his place in recent Celtic folklore | OneFootball

It looks as though Adam Idah is heading for the exit door at Celtic, and while it feels a little sad, the writing has probably been on the wall for some time…

Adam Idah of Celtic appears dejected after missing a penalty during the shootout Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 August 2025. Photo Nikita Bassov/Shutterstock

The signs were there early on this season. Cast your mind back to the first leg against Kairat, when Brendan Rodgers pulled the players together for a quick in-game huddle. During that break, most of his attention was focused on Idah. The manager’s animated gestures and instructions spoke volumes — there were plenty of others who could have used that level of direct, detailed coaching, yet it was the striker who drew the brunt of Rodgers’ energy. It hinted at what was to come. Idah was always a project in need of polishing, and perhaps never quite the right fit for Rodgers’ system.

Adam Idah of Celtic vies with Aleksandr Martynovich of Kairat during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

When Idah first arrived on loan, he seemed a perfectly serviceable option. He wasn’t expected to be Celtic’s leading man, but rather a dependable understudy to Kyogo. He embraced that role willingly, and in truth, that satisfaction with being “the back-up” might have been a red flag from the beginning.

When the club eventually made his move permanent after a long summer chase, doubts began to creep in. Missing out on pre-season was a blow, while the transfer fee — widely reported as hefty at £9m— added pressure.

As the season went on, Idah still managed to pose a consistent goal threat. Twenty goals for a so-called back-up striker is no small achievement. Finding another forward who would accept a supporting role yet contribute that many goals will be a real challenge.

Adam Idah celebrates. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

And Idah gave supporters plenty to enjoy — not least his knack for scoring against the Ibrox club. For many fans, that alone ensured his place in recent Celtic folklore.

The real test came when Kyogo departed mid-season. Idah had the chance to make the central striker’s position his own. Yet the pivotal moment arrived when Rodgers shifted Jota to the left, deployed Maeda centrally, and the goals flowed. Idah, when starting games, never carried the same threat he did when coming off the bench — to borrow a racing phrase, he looked more effective running past beaten horses than leading from the front.

Still, Rodgers’ faith never wavered entirely. Perhaps because of The Scottish Cup Final, where Idah scored the winning goal, he certainly seemed to confirm to the manager that the striker’s confidence could be rebuilt. Rodgers is renowned for improving players of all ages and profiles; the feeling was that if anyone could draw more out of Idah, it would be him.

Adam Idah celebrates scoring at Ibrox to level the score at 1-1. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Pre-season, however, told a different story. He looked half a yard behind in thought, often caught on his heels, and his first touch — a long-standing issue — showed little sign of development. His hold-up play remained inconsistent. Yes, it was only pre-season, but when the campaign started, Celtic’s lack of quality in the front three was glaring, and Idah had a crucial month to prove himself. Rodgers, never the most patient, clearly willed Idah to succeed. But the breakthrough never came.

Much of the narrative around Idah’s time at Celtic revolves around his transfer fee. His exit is also all about the fee. Reports suggest it is a £7m deal, though the chat from reliable sources claim closer to £4m upfront, with a further £3m in add-ons. If those incentives are realistic — and if Celtic included a sell-on clause — the financial hit may not be as damaging as perhaps feared.

Adam Idah scores Celtic’s second goal past Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa during the UEFA Champions League match between Aston Villa and Celtic at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

In truth, Idah had no control over his purchase price. That was Norwich’s good business and Celtic’s late business, with perhaps a “Matt O’Riley tax” factored in. Idah simply tried to do his best with the opportunity. His contributions — the goals, the Cup Final winner, and the surge that carried Rodgers’ side to the title in his first season back — were far from negligible. For that, he earned his permanent move and the goodwill of many supporters.

But to stay, he needed to improve. He needed to prove he could be Celtic’s main striker, not just an impact sub. He needed to show progress in the details of his game — his hold-up play, his awareness, his sharpness. Sadly, he fell short.

Adam Idah celebrates with Callum McGregor after Loris Benito of BSC Young Boys concedes an own goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and BSC Young Boys at Celtic Park on January 22, 2025.(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic’s decision to cash in now is probably the right one. At £9m, continuing with him as a back-up was probably never sustainable, and his value would only have declined had his trajectory remained flat. A Championship club desperate for a striker presented an opportunity Celtic couldn’t really turn down.

Idah now moves on to Swansea with the chance to rebuild his career. Many fans will wish him well and keep an eye on his progress. He is, after all, still young enough to grow into the striker he hinted he could be.

At Celtic, he’ll be remembered with more fondness than perhaps he realises. He wasn’t the long-term answer, but he delivered memorable moments – goals against theRangers, a dramatic winner in a Cup Final, vital contributions in the league run-in and last season we had Villa Park.

Adam Idah holds the Scottish Cupi after the 2024 Scottish Cup Final win over theRangers at Hampden. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

For Celtic, the focus shifts to securing a new number nine — someone more reliable, more consistent, and more in tune with Rodgers’ vision of a striker. For Idah, it’s a chance to reset and prove himself elsewhere.

And that’s no shame. Few players truly make it at Celtic. Idah might not have been the perfect fit, but he gave his all, and for that loan spell, those big goals, and the memories he left behind, he departs with respect.

Best of luck to Adam Idah.

Niall J

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books on 5 September 2025. Click on image to pre-order.

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image to join.

More Stories / Latest News

Adam Idah has secured his place in recent Celtic folklore

Aug 30 2025, 8:35

Celtic Academy winger signs for Tottenham, Ibrox next for Murray and Donovan

Aug 30 2025, 8:16

Celtic don’t need a revolution. We need to finish what we’ve half-started

Aug 30 2025, 0:13