Soccer

Celtic’s Adam Idah reveals match-winner was inspired by Young Offenders star

‘I will always believe in any game, whether I start or I’m on the bench, I always believe that I’m going to score’

Celtic’s Adam Idah scoring during the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park, Glasgow. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
Celtic’s Adam Idah scoring during the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park, Glasgow. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
Gavin McCafferty, PA
Sun May 26 2024 - 15:43

Celtic striker Adam Idah revealed some inspiration from an actor helped him produce some late drama in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final.

Idah came off the bench to net the only goal against Rangers in the 90th minute at Hampden to secure the double for Celtic. During a tight encounter the Irishman had instilled the thought of scoring in his mind with the help of advice from Young Offenders actor and fellow Cork native Shane Casey.

“Funnily enough there’s an actor back home, Shane Casey, who messaged me before about visualisation and to say positive things,” the 23-year-old said. “That’s what I was saying on the bench, and it worked. So I’m sure I will be doing that again.

“I will always believe, in any game, whether I start or I’m on the bench, I always believe that I’m going to score. You need that, in a striker especially, to have that confidence to go and score goals.”

READ SOME MORE
Adam Idah speaking to Celtic fans during a trophy celebration at Celtic Park, Glasgow, on Saturday. Photograph: Robert Perry/PA Wire
Adam Idah speaking to Celtic fans during a trophy celebration at Celtic Park, Glasgow, on Saturday. Photograph: Robert Perry/PA Wire

Idah pounced on a rebound to net from close range after Jack Butland failed to hold Paulo Bernardo’s swerving strike, before running away to celebrate in front of his fellow Celtic supporters.

“Honestly, it’s hard to put into words, the feeling,” Idah said. “Seeing all the fans, how they all react and the love you get, there is nothing better. I don’t know what happened. I was celebrating and when I looked back none of my team-mates were there, so I thought I was offside. But that relief when the goal was given was unbelievable. It was amazing.”

The reaction to Idah’s loan signing from Norwich in January was far from overwhelming but he quickly proved himself to the Parkhead faithful and he becomes the first Celtic player to score a Scottish Cup final winner against Rangers since Joe Miller 35 years ago.

The Republic of Ireland forward has now scored nine goals in 19 Celtic appearances, most of them off the bench, to take his total for the season to 18 at club and international level.

Actor Shane Casey in Young Offenders
Actor Shane Casey in Young Offenders

“I wanted to play games, score goals, and I think I have done that quite well,” he said. “I always knew what I was capable of, and I don’t think many people did believe I could do what I do.

“The biggest thing for me was to stay focused and the gaffer saw what I had in me, he has given me the confidence to be free and play my football. Hopefully I have repaid that faith. I am confident. I have said before, coming here has been the turnaround in my career. The love I have got from everyone has been amazing. I am back enjoying football.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers wants to sign Idah on a permanent basis but with a Carrow Road contract that runs until 2028 the situation is out of the player’s hands.

“I am still contracted at Norwich, I will enjoy my time off and see what happens,” he said. “I need to go and celebrate and enjoy myself. We have had a long season. If it comes to that I am sure there will be conversations but right now I just need to take my time off.”