Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers praised Adam Idah’s impact after the on-loan striker scored the goal that won the Scottish Cup.
Idah came off the bench at Hampden and netted the winner against Rangers in the 90th minute, securing the famous trophy for his team and making sure that the were double winners following their Premiership title triumph.
The cup-winning goal was Idah’s ninth since his January loan move from Norwich and Rodgers was full of enthusiasm and praise for the 23-year-old’s efforts.
And while the Republic of Ireland striker will now return to his parent club, Rodgers’ words suggested that he has told the Celtic hierarchy that he would like Idah to return to Parkhead on a permanent basis this summer.
“The board know how I feel on Adam, that was the reason for bringing him in,” Rodgers said.
“He’s been a real catalyst for us, especially over the last few months.”
The Celtic boss said that he knew that Idah had ability and that has a “high ceiling” in terms of improvement in the future.
“I knew what I was getting because I’d seen him in the Premier League at 18,” Rodgers explained. “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.”
While he looked to the future with Idah, the Celtic boss also reflected on Joe Hart’s contribution to Celtic, and his career overall, as the goalkeeper finished his long career with trophy success.
“It’s brilliant,” Rodgers said. “He’s finished on a clean sheet.
“I said to the players on Friday, this is a guy who has worked for 21 years.
“We have some young players who have just completed their first season training with us and have had 200 sessions over the course of the season.
“Joe has done about 4200 training sessions in his career.
“And, do you know what, every time I see him in training, it’s like his first one.
“His enthusiasm, his love of the game, his leadership and everything about the man is top class.
“And what a way for him to finish. He’s a double winner at a club that’ll idolise him now for the rest of his life. I’m just so, so pleased for him.”
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