Benjamin Nygren Ajax clue accelerates Celtic transfer need as Adam Idah 'reality' made crystal clear

Daily Record

3 days ago

Brendan Rodgers is desperate to add to his champions and Charlie Mulgrew has backed call for wingers and another striker
Benjamin Nygren's position against Ajax caught Charlie Mulgrew off guard as he admitted Celtic need TWO wingers if that is the role he will play under Brendan Rodgers.
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The Hoops boss has been vocal once more in his need to add reinforcements with fans desperate for key additions.
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The Premiership gets up and running this coming weekend while a huge Champions League two-legged play-off showdown is on the horizon as Celtic bid to dine at Europe's top table once again.
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Nygren has been one of the summer additions to date alongside Kieran Tierney, Ross Doohan, Shin Yamada, Hayato Inamura and Callum Osmand.
The Sweden attacker was used in a No8 role rather than wide during the Como Cup and with a lack of depth in the winger position, Mulgrew understands why Yang has to remain at the club - despite interest - and they must add more reinforcements.
Speaking on Go Radio, Mulgrew explained: "I said last week they need a winger.
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"After playing Ajax you seen Nygren playing as a kind of No8 midfielder. So you are thinking is that where he is going to play? So then you would think they need two wingers.
"So I can understand why they wouldn't let Yang go. You can't let a winger go when you've not got any in the building or wingers ready to start and make an impact.
"If Nygren is going to play as a No8 in the midfield area - I thought he came as a winger - then you need another two wingers.
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"So you need to keep a hold of Yang until you get replacements."
Adam Idah has received the backing of the former Celtic stopper to hit the ground running this year but has told him he must improve key aspects of his game.
He admits the reality of him being the main man weekly is something that only Rodgers and his staff will know and reckons pressure will come from the top due to his high price tag.
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Shin Yamada has arrived and looked lively against Al Ahli. He netted the winning penalty and had a goal ruled out for offside but as a 25-year-old, he won't be a development player and will play some role.
But Mulgrew reckons another striker has to come through the door between now and the window slamming shut.
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He said: "He's [Yamada] a bit old for a development player so you would imagine he would come in and play some sort of role.
"I didn't realise he was that old [25]. So he needs to come in and make a sort of impact. Maybe off the bench at the moment.
"I have said it before - £9million for Adam Idah.
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"He will be the main striker for me this year. Then get another to back him up and see where they go from there."
A caller then put the question about how much time you give the Republic of Ireland international.
He continued: "I think Idah's hold up play needs a lot of improvement.
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"The reality is, I don't know how long they give him and how well he does in pre-season.
"But you'd think they will give him the start of the season to see what he does. There is a lot of things to his game he needs to improve on.
"The reality is when a club spend £9million on a striker, there is pressure from the board and people to play him.
"But that only does last so long. Like you say, who knows? Only Brendan Rodgers and the staff in there would know."