While Celtic explored the possibility of signing Adam Idah from Norwich City during this transfer window, I caught up with TNT and Premier Sports commentator Rory Hamilton. I spoke to him about his thoughts on Celtic pursuing Idah on a permanent deal Following his impressive six-month loan spell in Glasgow.
During his time with Celtic, Idah scored several crucial goals, including a title-saving strike at Ibrox and a dramatic 90th-minute winner in the Scottish Cup Final against Rangers at Hampden Park, which secured a 1-0 victory and brought the trophy back to Celtic Park. Earlier this month, Celtic had a £4.5 million bid for Idah rejected by Norwich, but the club remains interested in securing the Irishman’s services.
Rory Hamilton’s Thoughts on Idah’s Performance
Rory shared his thoughts on Idah’s recent performance, highlighting his crucial goal in the final. He noted, “9 goals in 19 games is impressive for Adam Idah, even more so when you consider that less than half of those appearances were from the start.” Rory emphasized that Idah’s ability to make an impact even without being a regular starter could be valuable for Celtic.
Rory discussed Idah’s versatility, describing him as a player who “provides a much-needed versatility to the frontline—he has a presence and physique, so becomes a handy alternative to Kyogo, which is much needed, particularly in Europe.” This versatility offers Celtic tactical flexibility and an additional option in their attack, which is crucial, especially in challenging European fixtures.
International Experience and Club Familiarity
Rory also highlighted Idah’s experience as an international player, mentioning, “He’s also already an international striker with the Republic of Ireland, so has experience playing at a level above the English Championship.” This international experience suggests that Idah can handle high-pressure situations, which is beneficial for a club with Celtic’s ambitions.
Additionally, Rory pointed out Idah’s prior stint with Celtic, stating, “He also knows the club/teammates and has already spent five months there, so there would be no bedding-in period.” This familiarity could allow Idah to integrate quickly into the team, minimizing the adjustment period often required for new signings.
Financial Considerations
Rory also touched on the financial aspects of a potential transfer, cautioning, “As always, it will come down to price—buying from England can be very expensive and not always great value for money.”
This is a critical factor for Celtic, which must balance squad enhancement with financial prudence. Rory noted that while Idah “may fit the profile of the type of player Celtic want to bring in, he will compete with others, possibly from more affordable markets.”
