Norwich City boss David Wagner has heaped praise on Adam Idah while celebrating his successful loan spell at Celtic. The Irishman was unplayable yesterday as Brendan Rodgers side thrashed Kilmarnock to seal the league title.
Speaking to The Eastern Daily Press, Wagner has been positive about Idah and his Celtic move while explaining a bit about why the decision was made to get him a move earlier this year.
“Every manager likes to have good players, and Adam is a very good player. On him, the decision that we made in the winter window to send him out on loan paid off perfectly.
“I was really backing him when he knocked on my door because I thought this was exactly what he needed to go out of this building and this environment where he knows everybody and everybody knows him and to go for a new challenge.
“He has a talent, but sometimes you need this boost, which you only get when you leave a club and go into another environment. The only thing that has got better after Adam left here is the music in the dressing room, because he is no longer in charge of the music box. I really wish him all the best for the final at Celtic to finish at a high.
“I worked with him for a year and we had the conversations more than once – I think the idea grew over the last couple of months (before January) and I absolutely have seen where he comes from.
“I had the same thoughts in my head before as well. Then he and we found a very good loan – big credit to Brendan and Celtic for how they’ve used him. He’s made a big impact and hopefully he can help them reach their target.”
Despite not being universally well received, Idah has been excellent since joining in January. The lofty striker has scored some huge goals for Brendan’s side – those goals at Motherwell, Hibs and Ibrox before turning out an excellent display last night.
Since joining, Idah has 8 goals and 2 assists in 17 appearances. The return will be encouraging to the player and the Celtic hierarchy, who will be considering making the move a permanent one.
Celtic may need to pay £6m in order to secure the signing of the 23-year-old. Brendan has a player that he trusts to execute his game plans and provide another option to Kyogo.
Turned out to be a brilliant bit of management from Rodgers last night in giving idah the start ahead of kyogo.
Could have been questionable beforehand, but worked to perfection for ourselves last night, with idah playing such a star role.
Totally different player than kyogo and great to have them different options available in the central striker role?
Having idah able to act as a target man and more importantly able to find them passes to our wide players, made that transition from back to front in a far quicker manner and for our wider players to exploit the available space in a far more devastating and clinical manner, for which we took great advantage of?
We needed another dimension added to our attacking play and idah certainly provided that for ourselves last night.
Even changing our front 3 last night still provided a different dimension to our attacking play, that could have provided ourselves even more goals?
A potential dilemma for Rodgers in the making regarding who starts the cup final now, against the scum imo?
But why Rodgers gets paid the big bucks to make such decisions?
A case could be made for both idah or kyogo getting the position, and maybe Saturday might provide a better answer to the dilemma of such a decision in waiting?
On last night showing I would say idah, as kyogo still looking fairly impressive against a tiring defence also, and giving ourselves the full 90 minutes attacking threat imo?
Upon the bigger picture, wasn’t to sure if 6M would have been a good investment upon idah?
On last night showing, 6M is very cheap for idah and well worth the club investing upon such a sum of money for his services imo?
Watching Norwich tonight makes you wonder how idah could only be a 3rd choice striker for them?
There loss surely must be our gain especially for a striker who contributes hugely and enjoying his time with our club, that making the move a permanent one has grown into a no brainer decision imo?