Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers 'taken aback' by Adam Idah

The Celtic boss swooped for Idah in the final days of the transfer window, bringing the Irish international to Scotland on an initial loan until the end of the season. 

Idah, a boyhood Celtic fan, pushed for a move away from Norwich in pursuit of regular game time and elected to join the Scottish champions ahead of Italian and Championship clubs. The deal does not contain an option to buy. 

Rodgers returned to Celtic in the summer for a second spell as boss and jumped at the opportunity to sign Idah. 

The Northern Irishman revealed it was encounters against Idah for Norwich as manager of Leicester that first put the 22-year-old on his radar. 

He is hoping to unlock Idah's potential as they push for the title - starting with Saturday's trip to Aberdeen. 

"When I came across his name, I was really excited by it. I'd seen him as a young player, playing as a 17-year-old in the under-21s with the Republic of Ireland," Rodgers said in his press conference.

"Then in the Premier League breaking through as a youngster and I've got to say that I was taken aback by his attributes. I think through one reason or another it hasn't quite worked out for him so far at Norwich, he had some injuries and whatever else but there's absolutely no doubting his talent.

Adam Idah impressed Brendan Rodgers in matches against his Leicester City side. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

"He's still very young - only 22. He still has so much potential and more development left in him. 

"He has enough experience having played in the Premier League and coming here for four months, we can take a look at each other. I know he is so excited to be at Celtic. He knows the importance of it and he wants to make an impact. 

"I'm excited by his talent and seeing if we can unlock that because if we can then he could be absolutely brilliant for us."