Celtic striker not losing any sleep over transfer rumours

With Celtic rumoured to be closing in on a £1.5m deal for Japanese striker Shin Yamada from Kawasaki Frontale, and Brendan Rodgers possibly still in the market for another centre-forward besides – Odsonne Edouard anyone? – you might think the pressure is on the Irishman. Not so, says Idah — instead he insists he’s up for the battle.

“Look, the manager’s obviously right. We’ve lost two big players that have contributed loads to the squad,” he said, as reported by Daily Record. “So hopefully we can bring in some others that can help us out.”

Rodgers is looking to replenish his attacking options following the departure of Kyogo Furuhashi in January, and Nicolas Kuhn, who sealed a £17m move to Como last week, meaning a lot of goals and assists have to be replaced from the squad who started last season – and that’s before we consider the long term injury loss of Jota.

But rather than feel threatened, Idah sees new signings as a challenge — and a chance to raise his game.  “I don’t think anyone’s going to go into a club where there’s no other players in their position, so it’s something I’m obviously used to,” he said. “At the end of the day, we’re a team and we want to win games, win competitions and trophies.”

And if Yamada — or any other striker — arrives, Idah is ready to fight for that No.9 shirt. “I think regardless who we sign, I think the whole team will be happy for it, and they’ll add a really positive quality to the team.”

For a player who hit 20 goals last term, including a Champions League brace at Villa Park, and scored against theRangers – again – the competition might just be what fuels an even better return in 2025.  “Last season we had Daizen (Maeda) obviously doing well and myself scored, so we all did our part.”

With Celtic aiming to retain our title, and possibly another domestic clean sweep, and with the hope of another Champions League campaign on the horizon, Idah knows strength in depth is essential — but he’s clear he wants to be the man leading the line. “The guys have left now, so hopefully we can bring some guys in now and go again next season.”

If and when Shin Yamada does sign on at Celtic, and there are rumours that could be as soon as the end of the week, the Japanese striker may arrive with high hopes of being Celtic’s main striker — but Adam Idah is standing tall, is backing himself, and is ready to prove he’s the striker to fire Celtic to silverware next season.

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