'Not great' - Celtic injury update as Brendan Rodgers makes feelings clear on rash Adam Idah challenge
The Celtic boss has offered his view on the decision to send Motherwell defender Liam Gordon off for a rash challenge on Idah
Brendan Rodgers has issued an update on Adam Idah’s condition after the Celtic striker found himself on the receiving end of a crunching challenge from Motherwell defender Liam Gordon that saw the hosts reduced to 10-men deep into stoppage time.
The Hoops eased to a 3-0 victory over the Steelmen at Fir Park on Sunday to leapfrog Aberdeen back to the summit of the Scottish Premiership table on goal difference, with Luke McCowan, Alistair Johnston and Idah securing three valuable points.
But it was Gordon’s rash tackle on ex-Norwich City star Idah in the closing stages that left Rodgers praying the Republic of Ireland international doesn’t face an injury layoff. Gordon was initially booked for catching Idah with his studs up before VAR intervened.
After visiting the pitchside monitor to review the incident, referee David Dickinson upgraded his on-field decision by producing a straight red card to the centre-back.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Rodgers confessed: “I think it felt a bit numb for him at first. It’s not a great challenge but I don’t think the player has tried to hurt him. The problem is when you leave the ground and it erupts his ankle. So, he was struggling a little bit after that. But I think once he got moving he was okay. We will just have to wait and see once he takes the boot off, but I’m sure there will be a wee bit of swelling there.”
Rodgers singled out McCowan’s “excellent” contribution on his first Celtic start in North Lanarkshire for praise after the former Dundee skipper stepped in at the base of midfield due to Callum McGregor’s injury absence.
The Northern Irishman added: “The reason to bring him in was we know he’s got those goals in him and his attitude, energy and professionalism is superb. He deserved his start and like I said, it was a really, really good finish.
“He comes into a really good position that we want him to be in, connects the game, he gets a little bit of fortune when it drops to him, and then he finishes it really well. We’ve seen that at Dundee, we’ve seen that in training and I’m very happy for him.”