Mark McGovern reveals what Adam Idah told him about Celtic amid permanent move talks

Getty Images
A conversation with Adam Idah has provided one goalkeeper with an inside view as Celtic push to make the loan deal permanent.

Goalkeeper Michael McGovern has been speaking about Adam Idah and Celtic’s chances of keeping the loan star. Idah spent the second half of this season on loan with the Hoops, forming a crucial part of their title and Scottish Cup bids, even scoring the winning goal in the final of the latter competition.

The 23-year-old was not deemed good enough by David Wagner at Norwich City, but Wagner has since been sacked, casting further doubt over whether Celtic will be able to make the move permanent. New Canaries boss Johannes Hoff Thorup is likely to want to get a look at Idah before deciding to sell him, particularly given the impressive form the 23-year-old forward managed at Celtic Park during the season just gone.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In the meantime, goalkeeper McGovern has spoken to Daily Record, detailing his conversation with Idah. “Having spoken to Adam, the daily interaction he’s had with fans in Glasgow is nothing like what he was used to in Norwich,” he said, “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. He has put himself in a great position. The Champions League will be a big draw for Adam as well. Celtic are a wonderful club and if he’s got the opportunity to sign for them permanently I’m sure it will be of big interest to him.

“It can be stressful when this type of scenario happens. Until someone accepts a bid you can’t do anything. You’re not in control. Adam just has to wait to see how negotiations go. And after what he has done at Celtic there will be interest from other clubs. Norwich have a new manager and he might want Adam to come back and be his main striker in the new campaign.”

Brendan Rodgers has already spoken in glowing terms about Idah, making it clear he wants to sign the forward. He said after the Scottish Cup final: “The board know how I feel on Adam, that was the reason for bringing him in. He’s been a real catalyst for us, especially over the last few months. I knew what I was getting because I’d seen him in the Premier League at 18.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He has all the attributes. He’s fast, dynamic, strong and I felt with better positioning he’d get goals. What he’s done since coming in is show that he’s a goalscorer. He gets different types of goals. He has great movement in the box and he deals with pressure moments. Today, he was like a real number nine sniffing in and around the box.

“He’s been absolutely immense for us and he’s clearly someone I’d like to do something with. I’ve seen development in him and that’s what the game’s about – players improving. I just know with Adam that he’s got such a high ceiling. The Premier League is the most competitive league in world football and you need a certain level of physicality and he showed that as a really young player.

“Adam probably got lost a little bit for a few years but coming to here, he’s thrived on the pressure of being at a big club. He was clear on his role when he came in and how I would use him. Adam had to get a feel for us but I told him he had to be ready to make an impact, either starting games or coming on. His confidence has never wavered, he’s been a brilliant team player for us.

“He’s such a good guy, the players love him. And he’s a big-game player. In so many big moments, he’s stepped up to the plate for us. I’m so happy for him – a boy from Ireland, a striker scoring the winning goal in the Scottish Cup final against Rangers. Wow. What a summer he’ll have. My talks with Adam will remain private because there’s a lot of work to do. But he knows my feelings and so does the club so we’ll see what happens.”

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice