Adam Idah has his sights set on the biggest stage in world football but knows his performances for Celtic will be the key to making it happen.
The striker is part of a Republic of Ireland squad aiming to reach the World Cup Finals for the first time in 24 years. Drawn in a challenging qualification group alongside Portugal, Hungary, and Armenia, the Irish know the road to the United States will be anything but straightforward.
For Idah, he knows he has to deliver at Celtic, and the rewards could follow on the international scene.
“This year is going to be really important with the World Cup next year, and you need to be playing at club level if you want to play in these competitions, so it’s a big year for me,” said the 24-year-old to RecordSport.
“It’s a tournament that everyone wants to play in, and for us as a country, it’s going to be massive. We’re all looking forward to it. We’re all pushing to try and qualify. So yeah, this season at club level will be really important for me.”
Idah notched 20 goals last season in all competitions, including a trio in Europe that gave him a confidence boost ahead of a crucial year. Having been mostly used from the bench, he’s now aiming for a more prominent role under Brendan Rodgers.
Brendan Rodgers has added two strikers to the ranks already this summer, and Idah will need to battle against them to impress Irish gaffer Heimir Hallgrimsson.
With his national side fighting to end a generation-long absence from the World Cup, Idah knows this campaign could shape his career at both club and international level, so he’s going to have to continue banging in the goals this season.
