Michael McGovern has given an interesting insight into the complicated situation that Adam Idah is in.
Last Saturday the striker wrote his name into the history books with the dramatic late goal that won the Scottish Cup for Celtic, clinching the domestic double.
Having arrived on loan on Transfer Deadline Day with little in the way of expectations Idah is now central to Celtic’s summer transfer plans while a new Norwich City manager has a dilemma that his club hadn’t anticipated at the turn of the year when the striker was deemed to be surplus to requirements.
At every level there are massive contrasts between Celtic and Norwich.
One is a massive, global club with special appeal across Ireland while the Canaries are an EPL yo-yo club able to offer access to the biggest, most commercialised set up in football.
Football-wise Idah seems to have become an overlooked home developed player at Norwich, at Celtic he now has hero status with a genuine argument to be had over whether Kyogo Furuhashi remains first choice striker.
At times during his first stint in charge of Celtic Brendan Rodgers toyed with the idea of playing with two strikers but last season that option was barely tried.
On international duty with Ireland the 23-year-old striker will remain in the spotlight with his future unclear and requiring the most diplomatic of comments.
McGovern started his career at Celtic, excelled at Hamilton Accies then earned a lucrative move to Norwich on the back of his performances at the 2016 European Championships.
Idah came through the youth team ranks at Carrow Road at that time with former team-mate McGovern telling the Daily Record:
Norwich are a brilliant club but in terms of size and worldwide fanbase? Celtic are an institution. Everyone knows that. But the finances are different. Norwich could potentially offer Adam more wages because they compete at Premier League level on a regular basis.
There could also be other clubs in for him who can do likewise. But in terms of stature, of course Celtic are huge. That’s a great draw for players, Adam included.
I experienced that again last week in the charity game. Most players won’t realise how big the Old Firm are until they actually experience it. You need to see it first hand.
Having spoken to Adam, the daily interaction he’s had with fans in Glasgow is nothing like what he was used to in Norwich. The people are just different. Norwich people are reserved and keep themselves to themselves.
In Glasgow they’re more open and more likely to come up and approach you. It’s a different culture. So that has been a big change for Adam.
And I know that he has loved it up here because I’ve spoken to him regularly. I’m sure there’s a big part of him that wants to come back to Celtic next term.
There are so many factors. The two clubs have to agree a fee then there are wages to sort out. It’s complicated. But I know he loved playing for the football club so Celtic have a great starting point.
With Oh Hyeon-gyu sidelined by the arrival of Idah Celtic need to sign a striker this summer, the competition from Giorgos Giakoumakis pushed Kyogo’s game to new heights.
A fee of over £6m might cause concern in a boardroom that seems to prefer the £2-3m project market but signing Idah comes almost risk free after the wastage of last summer which bloated the squad and wage bill.
Rodgers has made it clear that he wants to work with Idah next season- putting the pressure on Michael Nicholson to deliver after the failings of last season.
CLICK HERE for two faced Keevins makes remarkable Rodgers u-turn
CLICK HERE for Santa Ponsa celebrates Celtic’s victory in the Glasgow Derby.
CLICK HERE for SPFL Premiership table.
