Brendan Rodgers says Adam Idah has proved he’s a big-game player after the Irishman prevented Celtic falling to a third successive loss against Rangers.
The striker regretted a missed chance late in the first half when the Ibrox side went straight up the other end and scored the opener through Cyriel Dessers.
But Idah didn’t let it affect him and equalised shortly before the hour mark to claim a deserved point for the Premiership champions.
A £9million signing from Norwich last summer, Idah endured a 14-game barren spell during the winter.
However, Rodgers feels the player’s 18th club goal of the season — his third against Rangers in 18 months — demonstrated why he was brought to the club on top of his general performance on Sunday.
‘I thought he was a good reference for us today,’ said Rodgers.
Irish striker Adam Idah fires home the leveller for Celtic during the 1-1 draw at Ibrox
Idah is hailed by his team-mates after his goal prevented Celtic falling to a third Old Firm loss
Brendan Rodgers was happy with his striker’s goal and his overall performance on Sunday
‘He didn’t get too despondent from the miss in the first half. He kept going. It was a wonderful touch (before he scored) and he’s got that power in the box.
‘I’m really pleased for him. He’s been a real contributor for us this season. If you look at the minutes to goals ratio, it’s very, very good.
‘He’s a player for the big moment and it was a big moment to him.’
Rodgers felt his side were well worthy of the point which ensured they remain 17 points ahead at the top of the Premiership.
‘Today, it was much more like us,’ he added. ‘Obviously, some players were missing. But the mentality of the team was very good.
‘We played with a real good control in what was obviously a difficult place to play.
‘Rangers started off with a diamond, so we had to find a way through that and I thought we had lots of spells.
‘Maybe we were just short today in certain passes and making the final pass. But, overall, I thought we had really good control of the game. We probably should go one up and then we go behind to them again just before half-time, so it’s not a great time to concede.
The Celtic striker rued that miss when Cyriel Dessers immediately scored for Rangers
Idah refused to let it affect his game, however, and was soon celebrating the equaliser
‘But I say to the players, they’ve done a lot of really good things. We’ve just got to keep our rhythm, keep passing, keep the control of the game and, hopefully, eventually the goal will come.’
Commending his players for the way they stood up to the challenge of Rangers, Rodgers continued: ‘There were a lot of long throws in the box, a lot of deep free kicks.
‘You’re not going to win 100 per cent of them. But what we had to do, we did it well.’
Celtic had a chance to seal a victory at the end when Daizen Maeda sped clear, only for Rangers keeper Liam Kelly to save.
Rodgers revealed that the winger may have been hampered by the fact he’d only just returned from Japan where he hoped to witness the birth of his child — only for his wife not to go into labour.
‘Yeah, we have to give him a bit of leeway,’ said Rodgers. ‘He’d been in Japan all week, he had his first training day with us yesterday.
‘He flew expecting for his wife to have their third child and she didn’t have it, so he had to come back and then commit to a game here at Ibrox.
‘It’s one of those tough moments. He’s through, he’s in control, approaching the keeper. But, in fairness to Liam, he’s done well, he’s had a good spread on it and I’m not sure he (Maeda) can get it square for us to finish.’
Celtic striker Adam Idah has a shot blocked by Rangers defender John Souttar during the draw
Daizen Maeda can’t believe he has squandered an opportunity to score a late winner for Celtic
Rodgers confirmed that Nicolas Kuhn missed out with bruising on his knee but should be back to face Hibs next week.
Cameron Carter-Vickers looks like being rested for a couple of weeks to prevent his troublesome hamstring issue keeping him out of the Scottish Cup final with Aberdeen.
‘He’s been playing with a little bit of an issue that, if he can get some sort of injection on, that will make it right,’ Rodgers said.
‘Our priority, of course, is to win the Scottish Cup final.’
