'Group has gelled a lot better now' - Adam Idah eyes World Cup qualification

RTÉ News​

2 days ago

Adam Idah has five years' experience in the Ireland squad, and during that turbulent time, the striker has been embedded in chaotic Covid camps, weary international windows, playing in a team that could not buy a win, while watching, then waiting, as managers came and went.
Throughout that time, Idah has racked up 30 appearances in the green jersey and will be looking to add to that tally by impressing against Senegal and Luxembourg over the next week with one eye on the World Cup qualifiers in September.
Idah was one of Ireland's most prolific goalscorers throughout his underage years, however, since breaking into the senior scene at both club and country, hitting the back of the net has proved problematic.
Having scored just 12 goals in 100 league appearances for Norwich, however, things appear to be getting back on track in the goalscoring department, as Idah has averaged just less than a goal every other game in Celtic's last two league-winning campaigns.
And on the international front, he has started 2025 as he means to go on with one goal from his one appearance in March, grabbing the vital match winner in the 2-1 home victory against Bulgaria to end the Nations League campaign with back-to-back victories.
It augers well for a good run at the autumn qualifiers and after five long years embedded with the squad, Idah believes that the current crop is the best that he has experienced in green.
"There's a nice vibe around the group," said Idah, speaking to the media earlier this week. "We've won the last two games which we probably haven't had for a while.
"It can take its toll because coming into camp on the back of losses is not a great feeling.
"It's been really positive, and to be fair to the staff they've made it really comfortable for us.
"Having that winning mentality is something we've not had for a long time. It can be tough not winning games you should be.
"With Covid and that it was difficult, but [recently] it's been really good for us. We just want to continue that going forward because we've got massive games in September."
And Idah believes that the squad are building the requisite momentum that will be required in abundance if Heimir Hallgrimsson's side are to harbour any hopes of qualifying for next year's World Cup.
"Every player knows what we need to do," added Idah, when asked about the importance of keeping the recent good form going into the autumn qualifiers.
"We've gelled really properly together. We've been together for the last five years and there's been new boys who've been brilliant.
"Hopefully we can give them that motivation and the right mentality to come into camp and try to win every game.
"I know these are only friendlies but it's the last chance of being together before the September camp, so it's so important to have momentum going into September and keeping that winning run."
Idah has found himself struggling for starts under Hallgrimsson's reign with Troy Parrott or Evan Ferguson being asked to lead the line, however, the Celtic striker is happy to fight for his place and feels very confident coming off the back of a 20-goal season at Parkhead, which included three goals in the Champions League.
"Overall, it was a fantastic season," said Idah. "I came away with two trophies, scored 20 goals and scored the winning goal in the last camp for Ireland. I feel really good.
"Most strikers will say the same thing that you get that feeling (confidence) from scoring goals and you're hungry for more. It's great to have.
"I got into a nice little rhythm towards the end of the season and hopefully I can come into this camp and score more.
"I think whatever the manager chooses works for us. It's all friendly competition as we all get along really well," he added, in relation to his competition for the striker's position.
"The three of us can do our bit. We're three different types of strikers which is good to have. Regardless of who starts we know we've got there's fresh legs on the bench. All of us seem to be doing really well by scoring goals and that's brilliant to have.
"Hopefully it creates hard decisions for the manager."
Idah also addressed the viral video that was taken while on a night out in Glasgow, and said that while the situation was upsetting, he added that it happened on a day off and he fully intends to continue to live his life.
"It didn't impact me," said Idah of the video that appeared to show him being sick in a taxi. "I was out on a day off, that was that. [Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers] understood. I was off, I go out with the boys and that was that. There was no problem with the manager, he spoke about it really well.
"I will be videoed but at the end of the day I am a human being. I go out. I don't have to stay inside all the time. It's hard when people are videoing you, it can be quite upsetting, especially when the story is made out to be what it is not. It can be tough but like I said I am human and I'm going to carry on with my life."
Looking ahead to September, Idah stressed that all the focus was on qualifying for the World Cup and individual issues would have to take a back seat as everyone rows in to work towards the main objective.
"We want to qualify for the World Cup and you want to be part of that, whether it is starting or off the bench," said Idah. "Even if you don't come on you can always help the team.
"It is up to the manager. Of course, I want the minutes, but qualifying is the most important.
"I just think with the boys, the group has gelled a lot better now," he added, when asked about the confident approach to the World Cup qualifiers.
"We have not played well but we have managed to get results that were lacking before in previous games.
"It is a lot more positive in the group, we are closer together, it was tough to get going but some of us have been together four, five years now so we really want to push for qualification."