Only Adam Idah will truly know the intentions behind failing to report for duty as his Norwich City colleagues prepared to travel to Austria.
For a period, the Irish striker was uncontactable. A failure to meet up with his squad, firstly at Colney and then latterly at Norwich Airport, caused surprise amongst his teammates and those internally.
Maybe it was an innocent mistake. We all make them. But it’s clear from Johannes Hoff Thorup’s strong words after Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim that, although forgiving, he feels the speculation constantly linking Idah with a return to Celtic isn’t helping.
To an extent, there is a human want to express sympathy with Idah. It can’t be easy to be in the centre of what feels like an avalanche of daily media stories where any minor detail is regurgitated, magnified and inflated.
Likewise, after a tough spell at Norwich for a host of well-worn reasons, Idah enjoyed success in Scotland. He was popular. Brendan Rodgers managed to get the best out of him in that six-month stint—every person wants to enjoy their work and feel valued.
Throw in the constant dizzying advice from representatives, the words of his head coach, sporting director and media reports, and it’s clear to see how disorientating that can be. Idah is being pulled in several directions. He is only 23. Mistakes do happen. He isn’t the first and won’t be the last to get caught in the crossfire.
But, and this is the major point, Idah isn’t the first footballer to be exposed to such speculation or interest. He only needs a quick glance around his Norwich dressing room to see that there are others who have walked in his shoes.
Jonny Rowe has been facing questions over his future for the last six months amid a very delicate contractual situation. Gabriel Sara has been linked with some massive football clubs in the last few months. Kenny McLean has faced down speculation from another Old Firm side.
Even Max Aarons, who brushed off credible speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona only to play for Norwich against Preston in the Championship the next day. There was constant transfer chatter surrounding his spell at Carrow Road before he ultimately moved to the Premier League with Bournemouth.
The difference is that all of those players have remained professional, committed to the Norwich cause and continued to give their all.
Thorup may not have wanted to admit it publicly, but given how patient, praiseworthy and understanding he has been to the Irish international, there must have been some disappointment at how the events unfolded prior to their flight to Austria.
At a fans forum event earlier this month with Thorup and Knapper among those at the top table, perhaps the most striking moment of the night was how determined the pair were to defend Idah against a fan who questioned his capabilities.
Yet, hours later, stories of Idah’s willingness to return to Celtic were made public. It doesn’t take an investigator to see how the two things are connected.
Idah wants to go back to Celtic. That is abundantly clear. Norwich would be open to doing a deal – so now it’s about the Scottish Champions meeting his valuation to make it happen. As a player in those circumstances, there is a right and wrong way to conduct yourself.
Idah is an international footballer, he is 23 and has four years left on a contract that he signed only a year ago. Therefore, his valuation is significantly north of the £4m opening bid that Celtic lodged for his services.
What will sting more is that Norwich plucked Idah from Ireland after rejected trials elsewhere, they nurtured him, developed him and gave him senior opportunities. He may be frustrated by the way it has transpired, but the striker still owes a lot to the side that has placed so much trust in him.
There still is that trust. Both Thorup and Knapper rate him highly. The former wants Idah to play a key role in his Championship mission next season. In the cameos in Belgium, the Irishman looked the part in that particular role.
City’s boss struck the right tone in his public comments about the striker. He didn’t throw him under the bus, but there was a seriousness and strength about his words. It was important for the wider group that such a stance was taken.
As aforementioned, only Idah will truly know whether it was intentional or not, but if this was done to turn the screw and apply pressure to try and force a move to Celtic, then it hasn’t budged City’s position one iota.
That pressure would be better applied to Celtic, who know the asking price and have done for a while, but as of yet haven’t met it. Until that happens, Idah is and will remain a Norwich player. The ball is in the court of the Scottish Champions.
Thorup is right. Players make mistakes and they should be offered opportunities to redeem themselves, but that has to be made clear through Idah’s response to this unwelcome episode.
If he can apply himself in training, find the right workload and perform in the opportunities handed to him, then this doesn’t need to anymore than a blip. But that has to come from Idah and him alone.
The alternative is more dark arts, more twisting and more drama. That doesn’t help Idah’s cause and makes the whole episode even more unsavoury for all parties.
That is something repeated by ex-City striker Leon McKenzie, who wrote on his social media about the situation: ‘To create the right environment, you have to set the boundaries and levels. At the same time, the wrong choices can be made by players, and sometimes it’s too far gone to amend. With an apology to correct this he has to commit or he will just create a bad environment overall.’
Hard to disagree, especially with the pay off line. Idah has apologised. So now it’s about what happens next.
Underscoring all of this noise is the fact that Idah is popular in the dressing room. He has a big presence, and the senior players, in particular, are keen to rally around and help.
The hope is that they will apply pressure on him to behave in the correct way and to ensure this mistake, whatever the reasoning behind it, doesn’t happen again.
For most supporters, these sagas are energy-sapping and exhausting. Between the reality of a fee not being agreed between the clubs, a void is allowed to be filled by speculation, rumour, and innuendo.
Idah has talent. The focus, for all parties, would be better pointed at how he best extracts that on the pitch. The rest will take care of itself.
Celtic are expected to return with a second bid for Idah. As in January, Italian interest is also present. The saga will rumble on, so the striker must use this moment to learn how to deal with it properly.
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