Adam Idah confessed that his start to life as a permanent player at Celtic has not gone to plan in yesterday’s media conference at Lennoxtown…

Adam Idah scores from the spot. Hearts v Celtic, 23 November 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The Irishman signed from Norwich City in the summer for a hefty £9 million fee and has only started five matches across all competitions for the Hoops since arriving from the Canaries.

Competition for places at the top of the pitch is heating up, and with a reasonably comfortable fixture in sight this afternoon against Ross County, Idah may get the nod ahead of Kyogo.

Netting on seven occasions in 18 games this season, Idah has been a frustrated figure often coming off the bench expected to make an instant impact.

Adam Idah celebrates. Hearts v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Tynecastle. 23 November 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

His double last Saturday at Tynecastle exemplified his capabilities as a finisher and should give the Republic of Ireland internationalist confidence ahead of a congested fixture list for Celtic until the New Year.

Brendan Rodgers’ side are working midweek to Saturday over the course of December and January, therefore, squad rotation will be key in keeping players fresh.

Idah alongside a few others such as Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan could be used in the starting XI more often in the coming weeks.

Hearts v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Tynecastle. 23 November 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Speaking to the media at the press conference yesterday, the 23 year-old forward admitted that he expected the transition from Norfolk to Glasgow to be slightly smoother.

“(It’s) Probably not the start I wanted. I think, comparing it to last season and finishing on such a high, I thought I’d come in and score a load of goals and whatnot, so it was probably not the start I wanted,” he said.

Adam Idah celebrates. Hearts v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Tynecastle. 23 November 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“When I reflect back, if I look at my pre-season, I didn’t have the best of pre-seasons, and it’s only the last couple of days I looked at my stats, and I think I’ve got a goal every 70 minutes. I think, as a striker, you have to look at that and be proud of that and keep going.”

Idah continued, “obviously for me, the goal is to score as many goals as I can. That’s what I’m trying and when I see stats like that, I just have to remind myself, it’s not as bad as I thought it was going like. I just have to keep doing what I’m doing and keep scoring goals.”