The name ‘Adam Idah’ has seemingly been on the lips of every single person of a Celtic persuasion over the past two months – ever since he scored THAT Scottish Cup Final goal versus Rangers at Hampden.

Ever since that memorable late winner at the national stadium, supporters, journalists and everyone in between have been speculating whether or not the Republic of Ireland international will return to the club on a permanent deal. As things stand, Celtic have had at least one bid rejected by his parent club, who have also been informed of interest from both Hellas Verona and Fiorentina.

The situation turned toxic last week at Carrow Road, as Idah was booed onto the park in Norwich’s 3-0 defeat to St. Pauli, following his failure to board his club’s flight to Austria a few days prior. In response, the striker went straight up the tunnel at full-time, which has prompted fresh speculation about the forward’s future – and where that may be.

Because of these events, there has been chatter – particularly online – of Idah’s conduct, especially in the past week or so. In light of this, The Celtic Way’s Tony Haggerty and Ryan McGinlay give their differing takes on this issue, which looks set to go on for quite some time yet…

Tony Haggerty

How has Idah all of a sudden metamorphosed into a player with a bad attitude and become a troublemaker overnight?

This is a striker who could do no wrong just three months ago. His nine goals in the climax to the 2023/24 season helped Celtic clinch the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double. The lifelong Celtic supporter scored the winner in the Scottish Cup final against Rangers. He was enjoying the most successful spell of his career. He was on top of the world. He was a player that Celtic 'must sign' in the summer window.

Correct me if I am wrong but the summer window is still open, isn't it?

Idah was the third-choice attacker at Norwich City when he signed for Celtic in January. Eyebrows were raised. There was no fanfare of trumpets - just a ringing endorsement from Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.

The Idah transfer to Celtic has now become a saga - of that there is no doubt. It's typical of Celtic. Should Celtic have negotiated an option to buy clause with the Carrow Road club when he signed in January? You bet they should have. Are Norwich City playing hardball over the fee? Ask yourself why they want to price Idah out of his dream move to his boyhood idols. Have the goalposts changed all of a sudden?

It was Norwich City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup who went public with the fact that Idah had missed his flight to Germany and lost his phone when he failed to join up with his teammates for pre-season. That could easily have been dealt with in-house. However, it was Thorup who threw in the line about speculation over a return to Celtic that may have impacted the player's decision-making processes. That painted a target on his back.

It was as if Thorup didn't believe Idah's version of events and that manifested itself in the player being dropped from the Hoffenheim game and then being booed by his own supporters when he took to the field against St Pauli. Now Idah's actions of running down the tunnel and failing to clap the Norwich City supporters who jeered him is the ultimate sign of belligerence. Would you clap fans who booed your every touch and move?

Thorup is also guilty of speaking with a bit of a forked tongue. Despite his public proclamations that Idah remains part of his plans, Norwich have been linked with Sheffield United’s William Osula, as well as Leicester City's Tom Cannon in the last few days.

Celtic supporters are now saying that the club should move on from Idah and focus on other targets because he is trying to force the move by working his ticket from the Canaries. They also believe that history will repeat itself and he will do the same to the men in green and white further down the line. It's nonsense. Those same supporters are also missing the fact that the Republic of Ireland international has untapped potential. Idah hasn't yet reached his glass ceiling. Nobody knows that more than Rodgers.

That's why the public enemy No.1 tag doesn't suit well when it comes to Idah. He isn't a troublemaker. He isn't a mischief-maker. He isn't belligerent. He hasn't gone on strike or slapped in a transfer request either. Idah has made no public comments on a move to Celtic whatsoever. This is a player who is just desperate to move to his boyhood heroes.

He is still highly regarded by all of the teammates that he has played alongside and the managers he has served under thus far in his career. Rodgers doesn't work with bad influences, troublemakers or players who would disrupt or cause disharmony in a dressing room. You might find that those who are listening to this guff about Idah being some sort of troublemaker or mischief-maker and a bad apple in a dressing room are being guided and swayed by people with a vested interest in not wanting the transfer to happen. Funny that, isn't it?

The prospect of Idah terrorising defences domestically and at the Champions League level strikes genuine fear into the hearts of some people. If you're cynical then you might think that they have an agenda against the player. They are the real troublemakers and mischief-makers in this whole saga.

Bookmark this if you wish. Adam Idah will be a Celtic player before the end of August.

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Ryan McGinlay

Before I make my point about Idah, let me underline his importance last season – which was a managerial masterstroke by Rodgers back in January.

A bona fide success and a big reason why Celtic won two trophies instead of zero, the impact of the Irishman was a joy to behold and bear witness to. Two massive goals against Rangers - as well as crucial winners versus Hibernian and Motherwell – effectively sealed his place in club folklore, as he rivalled the likes of Robbie Keane and Craig Bellamy for the title of best-ever Celtic January loan signing.

When Idah scored that goal at the national stadium a little over two months ago, the united cry was one of ‘sign him up!’, with many still sharing that view – including my workmate Tony. While I share this view, I also am of the belief that this saga has gone on for far too long for anyone’s liking. You could make the argument that no one is happy at the moment, from Idah’s parent club Norwich to Celtic for only having one striker on their books at present – and, of course, Idah himself.

While I do not completely subscribe to the ‘bad attitude’ chat, I do start to lose interest in a player when these scenarios take place. If you want an instance of when I felt this way previously, then you will not have to go far back to find an example. Current Celtic winger Yang Hyun-jun effectively forced through a move from his homeland in South Korea in order to get to Scotland, making his feelings known about a keenness to move on from Gangwon FC. A highly-rated talent, the very public push for a transfer made me turn off completely concerning the player, which should not be the case when new talent comes through those Celtic Park doors.

Regrettably, I’m getting similar vibes with Idah now, even though his keenness for a move has not explicitly been made by the player himself. In truth, I dislike these transfer sagas, particularly when the buying club are short of players in such a key area like the lone striker leading the line at Celtic. All parties at present seem to be at a standstill, which helps nobody whatsoever. Norwich have a reportedly unsettled forward, Idah is caught in limbo and Celtic are walking a tightrope with only Kyogo contracted to the club.

Admittedly, the excitement levels rose ever so slightly last week when reports were speculating that Idah’s return was ‘close’, though these claims were clearly false or premature. He may yet re-sign in the coming weeks, but of all the excitement has been drained out of this potential reunion. I’m switched off in this saga story, it is up to the parties involved to reinvigorate this situation. If they cannot do this, then they have to call it a day and put an end to this debacle.

My only worry concerning Celtic moving on from Idah is where they turn to as an alternative. Apart from tenuous links to the likes of Lawrence Shankland and Bojan Miovski, Rodgers’ side have been all-in on their star of the second half of the last campaign. If they fail to get their number one target, where do they go from there?

To conclude, I believe that if Celtic and Norwich cannot guarantee a permanent return for Idah anytime soon then they must move on to other targets – whoever they may be…