“There’s no doubt that we need to reinforce the top line,” Brendan Rodgers | OneFootball

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers insists Adam Idah will improve with more competition for the striker’s spot…

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers with Adam Idah at full-time. Final score Aberdeen 0 Celtic 2. Scottish Premiership, Pittodrie. Stuart Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

The Scottish champions secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday afternoon, with midfielders Benjamin Nygren and Reo Hatate netting in each half, though Idah failed to have an influence in the game once again.

Kyogo joined Rennes in January and has yet to be replaced

After Kyogo Furuhashi’s January departure to Rennes, the 24-year-old was expected to become Celtic’s main no.9, but it was Daizen Maeda who was selected by Rodgers as the Hoops’ central striker for the rest of last season, though the Irishman still ended the season with an impressive 20 goals tally.

With Jota sidelined by a long-term injury until next year and 31 days on since Nicolas Kuhn’s departure to Como, given the club’s inability to do serious transfer business, Maeda has been required to operate on the left wing, giving Idah the opportunity to stake his claim for the striker position.

Aberdeen v Celtic – Brendan Rodgers and Kieran Tierney after the Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie on 10 August 2025. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI (IMAGO)

“There’s no doubt that we need to reinforce the top line”

Speaking at his post-match media conference on Sunday Rodgers said as reported by Daily Record: “There’s no doubt that we need to reinforce the top line. There’s no doubt.

“I’m really pleased with where we are structurally in defensive numbers. We’ve got a squad from our back line to midfield that can cope domestically and cope in the European competition. So, I’m really pleased with that aspect. But I think we need competition at the top end of the field.

“For Adam, he’s a big, honest boy”

“For Adam, he’s a big, honest boy. He was at his best here when was really challenging with Kyogo for the position and that’s something that is important for us to get. But in the meantime, he will work hard and he’ll always be that reference for us.”

The Celtic manager was questioned about whether Idah is in need of a goal and responded: “Listen, you’re a striker at Celtic, you have to be strong mentally, you’ve got to score goals, of course. But I’ve a lot of faith in him. He really needs that real competition beside him. And I think that’s when you then get the most out of him.

Celtic players applaud the Celtic fans at full-time. Final score Aberdeen 0 Celtic 2. Scottish Premiership, Sunday 10 August 2025. Photo: Stuart Wallace, IMAGO Shutterstock

“He didn’t quite score, but he worked very hard and he’s given his all and it will get better as the season goes on.”

Conor Spence

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