Free pints in Cork and goal videos from Australia- Adam Idah on his Celtic eye opener

After five years at Norwich City and over 20 international caps Adam Idah did have a minor profile in and around Cork.

Returning home he’d get a few nods and hellos, his boyhood pals kept in touch with the locals taking a passing interest in how his career was developing.

Life in Stephen Kenny’s international squad never contained many highlights but the pride of pulling on the green shirt will never be diminished.

In the final hours of the January transfer window things changed little for the striker but there was no Robbie or Roy Keane type celebrations to greet his arrival and announcement as a Celtic player.

A couple of penalties away to Hibs changed the perception, a towering header at Motherwell brought Celtic back into the game followed by a vital 89^th minute strike to secure more precious points.

Suddenly there was a debate over whether Idah or Kyogo Furuhashi should be starting matches.

Joining up with the Ireland squad at the end of March Idah noticed a difference in how he was treated, speaking to the Daily Record he revealed just how much things had changed:

I popped into a couple of pubs back home in Cork. I didn’t expect all that, to be honest. I was shocked when I walked in!

It was great seeing everyone. They sent me some footage of the place from the other weekend watching the Rangers game and the place looked amazing. It’s not far from where I grew up. My mate took me down and we met some fans and the owners. It was top class.

I don’t think I would have got that reception if I wasn’t at Celtic. They’d just think I was just another local lad. Coming here you are treated like a hero wherever you go. It’s fantastic. I don’t know if I’ll need to buy a pint again – I hope not!

The fans are so good. Every single person I’ve met has been top class. You can be driving through the city and people are cheering you on. It’s great for us players to have that fan base behind us. It really motivates you to fight for them.

More photos of Adam Idah calling into The Ferry ?? pic.twitter.com/AEUq7lMNaC

— Cork No. 1 Celtic Supporters Club (@CorkNo1csc) March 28, 2024

Since that visit home Idah has continued scoring with one goal in particular certain to be recalled wherever his career takes him.

Whether they like it or not strikers are judged on big match goals, European matches and big cup ties matter but at Celtic netting in the Glasgow Derby matters- especially when it is across the city and even sweeter when there are no away fans in the ground.

Although Idah’s goal on April 7 didn’t turn out to be the matchwinner it won’t ever be overlooked with fans worldwide celebrating the moment:

I knew the club was huge when I came up. I know everyone says it but you don’t actually realise how big it is until you are here. For example, I got sent a video of the goal from a pub in Australia. It was mobbed and it was going crazy.

You realise people are watching this all over the world. It’s amazing how big this club is. It has taken me a bit by surprise. I was saying to my mum recently, I didn’t actually realise just how many Celtic tops I was seeing when I was back home.

They have always been there but maybe I just wasn’t noticing as much. It’s still a bit of a shock to me. It’s been weird. There are so many fans back home that will come up to me. Even lads I used to kick a ball with when I was young and are still friends are asking me for photos.

I’m thinking, ‘What is going on?’ It’s crazy. My life has gone a bit strange. No matter where I go I think I’m going to bump into Celtic fans somewhere. Hopefully I can just keep repaying their support.

On Saturday Idah will get to experience Hampden, a win over Aberdeen books a return trip to the National Stadium in May and the chance to take a winners medal down the local when he returns to Cork in the summer.

The Friars Walk Tavern in Cork is also well worth a visit on matchdays according to Bertie Bassett.