Celtic have put Adam Idah’s move to Swansea City on hold, with Brendan Rodgers refusing to sanction the striker’s exit until a replacement is secured and the player now being told to make his way back to Glasgow. [Anthony Joseph]
The Irishman has already completed his Swansea medical and agreed personal terms on a £7m transfer, but he was recalled to Lennoxtown this week after Rodgers intervened. The manager made it clear he would not leave himself short up front on the weekend of a Glasgow derby.
Celtic are deep in negotiations with Anderlecht for Kasper Dolberg and remain hopeful of sealing the Denmark international but he would most likely not be available for the game at Ibrox.
As of Friday evening, no deal had been finalised, leaving Idah’s situation hanging by a thread. There was reports from Denmark during the day that the deal was nearly there but they’ve been disproven by a multitude of sources.
Rodgers addressed the situation directly, telling CeltsAreHere: “There is interest in Adam, but like I’ve said to the club, we can’t let anyone go – especially on the front line – unless we have replacements.”
That stance has created an awkward limbo for Idah. Swansea are ready to finalise the transfer, the player wants the move, yet he could still find himself sitting on Celtic’s bench at Ibrox knowing his future lies in Wales.
For Rodgers, the concern is protecting his squad depth. For supporters, it is another example of a muddled strategy from the Parkhead hierarchy.
The board’s inability to tie up deals efficiently has once again spilled into matchday preparations, with the squad facing unnecessary distractions before the biggest domestic fixture of the season.
Celtic fans have seen this film before — late-window scrambling, uncertainty around exits, and the manager left juggling numbers instead of focusing fully on Rangers.
If Dolberg signs in time, Idah’s switch to Swansea should be confirmed quickly. If not, Celtic may field a player who has already mentally checked out in one of the most intense games of the year. It’s another saga that could and should have been avoided with better planning.
