Brendan Rodgers has told Adam Idah he doesn’t need to be banging in the goals to get a pat on the back from his boss.
The frontman hasn’t hit the net for 11 games going back to the end of November but the Celtic gaffer insisted there is no cause for concern. In fairness, Idah has only started five of the 11 matches but Rodgers knows the Ireland hitman is chomping at the bit to add to his eight for the term. But he is also adamant there is much more to the frontman’s game than just adding the final touch in the box.
In fact, Rodgers could care less who gets their name on the scoresheet – as he prefers to have a team that produces goals from all over the pitch. Rodgers is looking to stretch Celtic’s lead at the top to 18 points in Dundee and he said: “I thought Adam did well at the weekend [in the 4-1 win at Ross County], yet he didn’t get his goal.
“I think some players are better in rhythm and playing. But there are certain positions that you have to produce. That’s the reality of it.
“But I was really pleased with his contribution. I don’t need my striker to score 40 goals a season, I really don’t. If you look at any of my teams, the goals are always spread out. What I need is the players to be intense, to be aggressive.
“There were some great moments for him at the weekend. Yeah, he didn’t get his goal but he was there, made vital contributions, setting up the game for us, allowing other players to attack the space. He’s working very, very hard, Adam.
“I just think it’s one of those ones, it will drop for him at some point. But if we’re scoring four goals and your striker’s not scoring, then you will take that.”
“I think it’s his own self-pride, you want to score goals. As a striker, that’s why you’re there – to create goals, score goals. But for me, as long as I’m seeing the work rate and the intensity and the mentality, then I’m really happy with that. The goals will come for him.”
Rodgers was forced to alter his team’s shape with wingers Daizen Meada and Nicolas Kuhn out in Dingwall and it meant a rare run out for Idah alongside Kyogo. The move worked a treat and it could be see again.
Rodgers said: “May do. May not. It just depends. I normally play with wingers I’ve never been fixed to one system.
“The style will always be the same and the principles, but the actual system I’ve always been flexible with how the teams have played. So this gave us a nice little conundrum with the wingers short. Okay, so how can we make it work? And the players made it work really well.”
Stand-in wide man Yang also worked well – even though it’s been tough at times for him. Rodgers said: “It is a challenge for Yang in terms of the guys in front of him doing so well. He’s had limited game time. What we see in him every day is that he works so hard at his game.
“Sometimes, especially when you’re an attacking player, when you don’t play so much, there’s always a chance that you come in and you try to force things. But for me, he gives his all, he gives everything.
“Yes, he needs to be more efficient. Attacking players have to be able to create goals and score goals, as well as do that pressing function that we want. But he gives absolutely everything.
“It’s just time and patience and to get anywhere as a player and that mentality also. He’s a young guy who’s adapted so well to coming over from Korea. It’s a huge testament to him. We have to look at it. But at this moment in time, with players out, he’s coming in and working very hard.”
Kuhn is back for Dens and Rodgers has warned his side to expect another tough workout against Tony Docherty’s men amid a hectic schedule. He said: “Sometimes you forget what day it is when you’re in training and working so much. I think it’s just being adaptable. It’s always going to be a difficult game when you go there.”