ADAM IDAH fired blanks for the fourth consecutive competitive game as Celtic overcame Aberdeen 2-0 at Pittodrie.
The Republic of Ireland international frontman’s last goal for the Hoops came in the 5-1 victory at the same venue on May 14 in the previous campaign.
Since then, Idah has failed to register a strike against the Dons twice and St Mirren on two occasions and was replaced by Japanese new Bhoy Shin Yamada in the 67th minute yesterday after being hooked in the 1-0 win over the Paisley club last weekend to make way for Johnny Kenny.
It was left to midfielders Benjamin Nygren, with his first goal for the Hoops since his summer arrival, and Reo Hatate, with a breathtaking screamer, to get the visitors over the line in the north east.
ME AND MY SHADOW…Adam Idah fires in a shot against St Mirren in Paisley as Kyogo Furuhashi looks on.
Brendan Rodgers, though, believes he has the answer to the 24-year-old powerhouse’s problem – the lack of competition for the main striking role.
The Hoops boss admitted he “still had a lot of faith” in his misfiring hitman who claimed 20 goals in the previous campaign.
Rodgers, who is still searching for a direct replacement for Kyogo Furuhashi who left the club in a £10million move to Rennes in January, said: “Listen, there’s no doubt we need to reinforce the top line.
“I’m really pleased with where we are structurally in defensive numbers, but I think we need competition at the top end of the field.
“So, yes, for Adam, he’s a big, honest boy. He was at his best here when was really challenging with Kyogo for the position.
A GOAL-DEN MOMENT…Adam Idah races away after scoring Celtic’s final goal in the 5-1 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie on May 14 – his last strike for the Hoops.
“And that is important, I think, for us to get. But, in the meantime, we’ll work hard and he’ll always be that reference for us.”
Asked if the Cork-born forward, who cost £9.5million from Norwich City last summer, just needs one goal to get him back on track, Rodgers, speaking to the Daily Mail, added: “Yes, listen, you’re a striker at Celtic.
“You have to be strong mentally and you’ve got to score goals, of course.
“But I’ve a lot of faith in him. He needs that real competition beside him. And I think that’s when you then get the most out of him.
“So, yes, he didn’t quite score, but he worked very hard. And he’s given his all and it’ll get better as the season goes on.”
