Adam Idah is ready to make his mark once again as Celtic prepare to take on Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup Final at Hampden Park this Sunday.
The Irish striker, who sealed his place in the hearts of the Celtic fans with a decisive goal against Rangers in last season’s Scottish Cup Final, is determined to write another chapter in his blossoming Hoops career.
Idah’s return to Celtic after a successful loan spell came with expectations, but the striker has openly admitted he faced challenges at the start of the season. Speaking to Celtic TV, the 22-year-old reflected on his performances, acknowledging that he initially struggled to find his rhythm:
“At the start of the season, I probably wasn’t too pleased with myself, coming in I had a tough pre-season.
“With goals, I probably wasn’t scoring as much as I would have liked to, but when I reflected back only a couple of weeks ago and I saw my stats, what I done, then it’s probably better than what I thought it was.
“What’s motivating me now is to just keep getting on the scoresheet. Things like these cup finals. I want to get to these cup finals. To win the European nights is always amazing, so there are so many things that motivate me and these players who want to strive to be the best. It’s all exciting and looking forward to it.”
His hunger for success and knack for delivering in crucial moments could be a vital asset for Brendan Rodgers as Celtic seek to secure their 22nd League Cup trophy.
Brendan Rodgers now faces a significant decision ahead of the final: should he start with Idah, with eight goals in five starts, or go with Kyogo, who boasts an outstanding record against Rangers? Kyogo’s ability to rise to the occasion in Glasgow derbies is undeniable, with eight goals in 15 appearances against Celtic’s fiercest rivals.
However, Idah’s recent form and his previous heroics in cup finals give Rodgers a potent option. Idah’s physical presence, direct running, and eye for goal make him a different kind of threat—a player capable of exploiting a tiring Rangers defence later in the game if he doesn’t start.
Adding an extra layer of intrigue to Sunday’s clash is the weather forecast. The Met Office has predicted gale-force winds of up to 48mph during the game, which could turn Hampden Park into a cauldron of swirling chaos.
