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Brendan Rodgers adamant rival boss will backtrack on Adam Idah claim as Celtic boss faces striker scan sweat

Celtic's Adam Idah tackled by Motherwell's Liam Gordon
-Credit: (Image: PA)


Brendan Rodgers is facing a scan sweat over Adam Idah after Sunday’s eye-watering challenge at Fir Park.

The hitman spent Tuesday with medical staff assessing his injury suffered following Liam Gordon’s lunge at the weekend. Motherwell gaffer Stuart Kettlewell insisted the tackle wasn’t worthy of a late red in Celtic’s 3-0 win.

But Rodgers is convinced the Well boss will have changed his mind in the cold light of day as he waits to discover if the Ireland striker will be back for this weekend’s Premier Sports Cup semi showdown with Aberdeen.

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The Hoops manager – who also is monitoring Callum McGregor – said: “We haven't lost Adam yet, so we'll wait and see what the scan says. But yes, it wasn't a great challenge. I don't think, like I said, after the game, and you don't have a lot of time as a manager and coach to look at these things in great detail, but when you actually come away and look at it, I still feel that he obviously didn't mean to do harm with it, but it was a poor challenge.

“For managers after a game, it's sometimes difficult because you're coming in to address your players, there's so many things you're having to look at, and then very quickly you're out into your press duty for an hour or so or whatever.

“So, yes, sometimes as a manager, you don't quite get that true look at it and reflection to it.

-Credit:SNS Group
-Credit:SNS Group

"But I'm pretty sure when he sees it again, I said afterwards that the player didn't look like he was obviously meant to make the challenge he did, but it's still a poor challenge He was on the stretch, he's off the floor and it's a bad challenge. So, I don't think you can deny that it's not that. So, I think when Stuart sees it again, he will see that as well.

“I respect he has to defend the player, but it's still a poor challenge. Hopefully Adam, as I said, has got away with it. I think when you see it on reflection, I think anyone would say it was a sending off. I'm just fingers crossed for Adam and for our squad that he can come through and be okay.”

Idah will sit out Wednesday's encounter with Dundee but Rodgers has warned his side to take care of business while the nation’s looks to Aberdeen and Rangers clashing at Pittodrie. He said: “Obviously, it's a big game between second and third place. But, of course, our focus is on our own match.

“You can only look after yourself. I'm so pleased with how the team has been playing, how we've been functioning, how we've been working. And if we look and think of anything else, then that can take away from our performance. Listen, I'm sure it'll be a really good game. It always is. Aberdeen v Rangers, Rangers v Aberdeen.

“It's a big game, but we have a massive game at home to Dundee. And that's our only focus. We're only 10 games in. This will be the 10th game. And I know the build-up starts even further out now each year. But there's so many challenges to go through in the season. Obviously, one being consistency. Consistency for any team is always the biggest challenge. So, the result can be whatever. For us, it's about us focusing on getting three points, playing entertaining for our supporters, because that's ultimately what we can control.”

Rodgers won’t take Dundee lightly despite the Dens men winning just one of their last seven games. He said: “The last five or six games have not probably been as ideal in terms of results.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers embraces Dundee manager Tony Docherty
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers embraces Dundee manager Tony Docherty

But Tony Docherty has done a fantastic job there and they lose the best player and lose the captain in the summer, so that can always make an impact. But, as I said, Tony's got good experience in the game.

“I think how he's managed his club has been fantastic. You'll go through spells in this league where you maybe don't get the run of games and the run of results. But for us, I always think it's a dangerous moment for a team, because they are looking for that big performance and you know teams will always get that extra bit against the champions and Celtic. So, we have to guard against that and make sure that we're right on our game and look to win, but obviously winning how we want to.”