The Irishman was a big money addition last summer but has struggled to make himself a regular starter for Brendan Rodgers
Sport Fraser Clarke Sport Trends Writer 10:06, 07 Apr 2025Updated 10:06, 07 Apr 2025
Time is already running out for Adam Idah at Celtic according to former Ireland ace Andy Townsend.
The big striker was a £9m addition for boss Brendan Rodgers over the summer from Norwich City, but has found the net just eight times in 29 Premiership appearances this season - starting just 15 matches.
Article continues below
Across all competitions the Celtic number nine has found the net just 15 times in 50 appearances, and even went on a barren run of 14 games without a goal before a Champions League brace against Aston Villa.
And Townsend believes that boss Rodgers will already be looking for an upgrade, with the Hoops' lack of firepower laid bare in a 1-0 defeat to rock bottom St Johnstone on April 6.
He told BoyleSports, who offer the latest Champions League odds: "Celtic spent on Adam Idah last summer, but it wouldn't surprise me if they go and buy another striker this summer and I think they will.
"Now he's an experienced boy. He's been around long enough and I think he's got to hurry up and find that extra 10, 15 per cent, which is required, I think, to nail a position down somewhere consistently where he is absolutely the number one, whether it's club or country, he's not really been able to do that.
"If he's not careful, someone else will come in at Celtic because Brendan Rodgers is not going to wait, Celtic never wait and they’ve lost Kyogo Furuhashi but they do have Daizen Maeda who poses more of a threat down the middle.
"Adam has got to take the opportunities that he's being given. He came off the bench for Ireland and got himself a goal, that is good, but there's more to come from him."
Idah has fallen behind Daizen Maeda in the pecking order, with the Japanese forward enjoying his most prolific season ever - and it feels an all-too familiar tale for Townsend.
He continued: "That's been Adam's problem. Wherever he has been you are looking at him and thinking that there is probably more in there to give and I don't think it's always coaches that can do it.
"I don't think it's always managers that can find that. It has to come within how much you really want it. He needs that edge, Adam. I don't think it's quite there yet.
"He needs a big summer. He needs a strong summer. He needs to look after himself physically and be in great condition when he returns, but mentally find another dimension to add something to his game."
Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.
Article continues below
You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football.
And Listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
