Norwich boss describes Adam Idah as ‘a valuable player’ after defeat in Belgium

Adam Idah was named in the Norwich starting line up in this evenings friendly with Club Brugge in Belgium.

The Irish international striker who is at the centre of transfer speculation regarding a permanent move to Celtic was substituted after only 33 minutes, in what was later explained as a ‘pre-planned decision.’

Brad Hills replaces Adam Idah in a planned early change.

⚪️ #CLU 2-0 #NCFC 💛 (33)

— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) July 17, 2024

It does seem strange to bring a player off after only half an hour, but considering it’s a pre-season friendly we shouldn’t read too much into it.

Adam was taken on the pre-season tour by his club so they obviously want to have a closer look at him and think of him as part of their plans for the time being anyway. Plus there has not been an offer that Norwich City consider to be acceptable so as a contracted player, of course Idah is going to be involved in their squad.

I think Adam will eventually end up at Celtic, but not at this particular time as there is still a bit of a hurdle to overcome in the shape of agreeing a transfer fee, something that will take a bit of time knowing how our club love to haggle.

So while some supporters and the SMSM will make a big deal over Adam’s ‘pre-planned’ early substitution, I wouldn’t read too much – if anything – into it.

Norwich lost 3-0 in case you are wondering. Afterwards their manager Johannes Hoff Thorup spoke to their own TV channel and was asked this question:

Q: Adam Idah played 30 minutes today, how impressed were you with him?

Johannes Hoff Thorup: “It’s good to see him back.He’s been part of the group now for a little more than a week. He’s had a couple of sessions with the boys and it’s important for us to get him started, for him to get in and get some minutes again.

‘I think we could see what he can support this team with, so nice to have him back on the pitch and I think that he will be a valuable player for us.”

Johannes Hoff Thorup, use of the word valuable could mean many things, if it was just about football perhaps he’d have said that Idah will be an important player for his side. Valuable is perhaps with one eye on a trade to Celtic and getting the correct price given that the 35 year-old Danish manager has been told he has to sell in order to fund any incoming transfers he would like to pursue.