As the Idah valuation rises, so too does Mikey Johnston’s

The Celtic Star

·18 April 2024

As the Idah valuation rises, so too does Mikey Johnston’s

Permanently signing Adam Idah, even for the reported £6 million valuation would be a good move by Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers…

Adam Idah continues to impress in his short time as a Celtic player with 7 goals in 12 games, with many of those appearances coming from the bench. His numbers do make for impressive reading.

Adam’s arrival as we know wasn’t exactly greeted with a great deal optimism, but the Irish international has shown that he has what it takes to succeed as a Celtic player. The negativity wasn’t directed at him but at the Celtic Board who looked like they were gambling with the title with their short arms and deep pockets.

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With no option to buy clause in his loan deal contract, it looks unlikely he will extend his stay beyond the summer, but there is always the hope that Norwich city will decided to sell the Republic of Ireland striker. The biggest factors could be what the player wants to do himself and whether Norwich win promotion back to the Premier League this season. They are currently on course for a play-off spot alongside West Brom, where of course Mikey Johnston is starring. Recently the on-loan Celtic winger was voted the Championship Player of the Month for March and his own transfer value is soaring.

Adam Idah in action during his debut for Celtic. Aberdeen v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, at Pittodrie on 3 February 2024. Photo Mark Runnacles/Shutterstock

Figures upwards of £6 million have been mentioned for Idah, and although that seems a bit high for a striker who wouldn’t be guaranteed first team football, it’s a fee worth parting with in my opinion, especially if we can cancel the cost by selling Mikey Johnston to West Brom for a similar fee. Indeed Norwich City have been credited with an interest in Adam Idah’s Ireland teammate so a swap might suit all parties.

With Adam you know what you are getting. He’s a tall athletic striker who can play across the front three. He can hold the ball up, he’s good in the air and on the deck, and he knows the way to goal. He’s a proven international player.

Celtic v St Mirren – Adam Idah celebrates scoring during the Premiership match at Celtic Park, Saturday April 13, 2024. Photo Jane Barlow

He’s also young and will undoubtedly improve in the coming years, so £6 million is fair for a player of Idah’s ability. It’s not a lot of money in football terms today, and further more it’s in our financial range. For me it would be a wise and shrewd move to sign Adam permanently.

The same goes for Mikey Johnston who has proven himself as a top performer at the top of the Championship level in England. If West Brom or Norwich City make it back to the Premier League, Mikey could get an unlikely opportunity to make his mark in the self acclaimed best league in world football.

Last week, The Celtic Star Editor asked Brendan Rodgers for his thoughts on Mikey Johnston after he was named as the Championship Player of the Month for March.

Mikey Johnston of West Bromwich Albion during the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich Albion at Loftus Road on March 06, 2024 (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

“In terms of Mikey, I’m absolutely delighted for him, because he’s a young player that I always said I rated highly. It’s been a challenge for him the past couple of years with injuries and having to go out on loan to play.

“The first six months of his time here, I said to him ‘Just prove that you’re fit and have the fitness level to sustain and train every day and be able to be available for games.’ In fairness to him, he did that, and by the end, he was contributing for us.”

Mikey Johnston in action for Celtic at Easter Road against Hibs back in October 2023.

“He really needed games, he’s 24 years of age and needed to get out and play. What he’s shown and demonstrated is no surprise. I said it before, he’s one of the best talents to come out of the academy. He’s quick, he’s direct and he can score goals.

“For him to go there and get that award – with some outstanding players in the Championship – it shows you how well he’s done. Hopefully, he can continue with that and come back to here in the summer and be really energised again and full of confidence and be ready to make an impact.”

So while Brendan as things stand will welcome the return of Mikey Johnston, a player he clearly rates highly in the summer, perhaps Mikey himself would prefer to remain in England where he seems to be enjoying his football more?

There is no reason to believe that Mikey’s valuation is going to be lower than Adam Idah’s. Knowing Celtic as we do, we’ll be looking at signing Adam Idah from Norwich City for the earlier valuation of £3m will talking to West Brom about a £10m deal for Mikey Johnston. What are they like?

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