(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers Calls for More Competition Up Front as Adam Idah Looks to Improve
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers believes Adam Idah will perform better once he faces more competition for the striker role. The Scottish champions secured a comfortable win against Aberdeen with goals from midfielders Benjamin Nygren and Reo Hatate, but Idah struggled to make a significant impact playing as the centre-forward.
Idah, 24, was expected to take a step forward after Kyogo Furuhashi’s departure in January. However, Daizen Maeda became Celtic’s main goalscorer after moving from the wing, even as Idah still managed to score 20 goals last season.
With Jota sidelined by a long-term injury and Nicolas Kühn sold, Maeda has been needed on the wings, giving Idah a chance to stake his claim as the No. 9.
“There’s no doubt we need to strengthen the attacking line,” Rodgers said. “I’m happy with our defensive setup and midfield strength, which is solid both domestically and in Europe. But we do need competition up front.”
Rodgers described Idah as “a big, honest boy” whose best form came when challenging Kyogo for the starting spot. “That kind of competition is vital for us. Meanwhile, he’s working hard and will always be a key reference point for our attack.”
When asked if Idah needed a goal, Rodgers responded: “Strikers at Celtic have to be mentally strong and score goals, of course. I have faith in him. What he really needs is competition alongside him, and that’s when he’ll thrive. He didn’t score this time but worked very hard, and I expect he’ll improve as the season progresses.”
Celtic’s three goals so far this season have all come from midfielders, including Nygren’s opening goal against Aberdeen. Nygren, 24, scored 15 goals last season for Nordsjaelland in Denmark and has also netted twice in his first four appearances for Sweden.
Rodgers praised Nygren, saying: “He’s versatile, able to play as an eight, a ten, or wide. But he instinctively gets into the box to score goals, which is why we brought him in.”
Rodgers added: “Playing at Pittodrie is always challenging. To come away with such control and authority was very pleasing.”
Aberdeen started brightly but were unable to maintain momentum. Their manager, Jimmy Thelin, noted: “Our defending and transitions were okay in the first half. The issue is our final pass and decision-making in attack. We’re not creating enough chances to really trouble Celtic.”
Thelin declined to comment on reports linking Aberdeen with a move for 21-year-old Milan striker Marko Lazetic but said: “Everyone is working hard to find the right player to bring to Aberdeen. We’ll see what happens.”
