Brendan Rodgers not Hugh Keevins evaluates Celtic signings

Auston Trusty and Adam Idah have come under fire, with the pundit that’s never correct about anything – Hugh Keevins – labelling the £16 million spent on the duo by Celtic as a “waste of money”…

: Auston Trusty during the Premier Sports Cup semi-final, Celtic against Aberdeen. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

: Adam Idah of Celtic and Dundee United’s Ross Graham during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park, on 8th January 2025. Picture by Mark Runnacles

Brendan Rodgers approved a £6 million move to bring Trusty in from Sheffield United last summer, though questions still linger over the defender’s quality. The USA international made an impression in the Champions League as Celtic advanced to the knockout stages, yet his domestic performances have on occasion failed to live up to expectations.

Adam Idah won the Scottish Cup for Celtic

Meanwhile, Idah’s impressive goalscoring form during his loan spell last season, highlighted by his dramatic Scottish Cup Final winner against theRangers, persuaded the Hoops to spend £9m to secure the striker from Norwich. However, the Irish forward has found himself mostly on the bench this season and has flattered to deceive when he has started matches, raising questions about his future at the Scottish champions.

Auston Trusty & Adam Idah a waste of money, according to Keevins

Sunday Mail columnist Hugh Keevins has offered an assessment of the pair, sharing his thoughts on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard: “Management is a solitary business,” he said. Brendan Rodgers is thinking, ‘What is going on with these people? I will have to make changes [in the summer], because of this complacency’. When he says, ‘new players are required’, yeah, he is right. Auston Trusty. Waste of money. Adam Idah. Waste of money.”

Adam Idah scores the winner for Celtic in the 2024 Scottish Cup Final against theRangers at Hampden. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Brendan’s opinion more important than an old shock-jock on the radio?

Undoubtedly, Rodgers will prioritise a left centre-back and a striker as key positions to recruit ahead of the summer transfer window. The Irishman possibly has doubts over Trusty, Scales and Nawrocki meaning he could be left with no other option but to sign a new central defender to pair Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Daizen Maeda has been refreshingly brilliant

Daizen Maeda has been refreshingly brilliant at the top end of the pitch since the departure of Kyogo in January, but with Idah being the only other striker at the club, the Celtic boss may also sign another centre-forward.

Harry Kane shakes hands with Auston Trusty — Harry Kane of Bayern Munich shakes hands with Auston Trusty of Celtic following the UEFA Champions League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic and Bayern München at Celtic Park on February 12, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The outlay for Idah and Trusty was costly – £16 million to be exact. Thus far, the pair have hardly lit up the place but that’s not to say that they won’t. I’d be inclined to keep them both for next season, but as starters? The jury is still out and what is certain is that there will always be competition for places.

Keevins is the chap who said he knew what ‘ANGE’ stood for after a difficult start at Celtic for the Australian gaffer. ‘Absolutely Not Good Enough’. Nuff said.

Conor Spence

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