CELTIC striker Adam Idah last night described his winning goal in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final as the best of his life – then admitted that he is unsure if he will return to Parkhead next season.
But the Republic of Ireland internationalist, who netted in the final minute of a tense encounter with Rangers at Hampden to secure a league and cup double, credited his loan spell in Scotland with resurrecting his career and admitted he had been bowled over by the “love” he has received during his time in Glasgow.
Idah, who moved to this country from Norwich City during the January transfer window, is under contract with English Championship outfit until 2028 and it remains unclear if the Scottish champions are prepared to pay the £5m fee which it will take to secure his services permanently.
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Asked if he would be back at Celtic for the 2024/25 campaign, he said: "I've been loving it here, but I am still contracted to Norwich. I'll have some time off now and see what happens.
"But it has been amazing. I probably didn't expect it to be as good as what it was. I've said it before, this has really changed my career around. I wasn't in the best of places when I was down south.
“But I've come up here and the players, the staff, the fans, they've all welcomed me in and they've given me that confidence and belief to enjoy playing football again.
“I was always quite confident in my own ability, but I knew coming here, the demand of the club and the pressure, I do enjoy that but no-one knows what is going to happen. I got off to a good start and just thrived off that belief. The support here has been top-class.
"But what happens next is not up to me. Football works in strange ways. I'm still contracted at Norwich. I'll have my time off and enjoy it as much as I can, and I'll see what happens.
"I've certainly got a few messages asking me to stay. We set targets and that was getting to two trophies and we've done that. We got the job done so let's see what happens now.”
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Idah pounced after Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland had only managed to parry a swerving Paulo Bernardo shot and buried his close-range attempt to send the Celtic fans behind the goal into raptures.
"I think that's my number one, it's got to be,” he said. “I thought the last game against Rangers at Ibrox was the one, but today's is unbelievable. Last minute in a cup final against your rivals? What more do you want?
"I don't actually know what happened. My mind went blank. From what I can remember, Paulo took a shot and I just followed it in. It probably wasn't the prettiest of goals but we do it in training every day - rebounds, rebounds, rebounds. Fortunately enough I was there to tap it in.
"We never stopped trying. That's the mentality we have had throughout the whole season. Since I've been here, that's one of the biggest things I have learned - never give up and have that attitude. You can see today it wasn't the best of performances by ourselves but we stuck together right until the end and got the result.”
Idah admitted that he had received incredible backing from friends and family who had travelled over from his native Cork to see the final and admitted he may not have to stand a round when he goes back.
"I think half the town was here!” he said. “I don't know what I'm doing for a break. I haven't sorted anything. I actually wanted to finish the season on a high and get these two trophies put away and then book all my holidays. I can't drink beer so vodka only for me.”
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