Celtic's Adam Idah tackled by Motherwell's Liam Gordon during the William Hill Premiership match at Fir Park(Image: Steve Welsh/PA Wire)

Celtic fans fume at challenge on Adam Idah after Ireland star scores in 3-0 win over Motherwell

27 Oct 2024, 18:32 by Eamon Doggett · Irish Mirror

Adam Idah put the finishing touches on a 3-0 away win for Celtic at Motherwell on Sunday - but the Ireland striker is nursing an ankle injury after being on the end of a red-card challenge.

Celtic rode their luck in the opening stages as Lennon Miller had twice hit the frame of the goal for the hosts.

But the defending champions bagged the opening goal when Luke McCowan nicked the ball past Kofi Balmer and drilled into the bottom corner from 18 yards out to open the scoring in the 27th minute.

Alistair Johnston headed the visitors two up 11 minutes into the second half before Idah, on as a sub in the 75th minute, stylishly turned home fellow substitute Nicolas Kuhn’s low cross from six yards in the 88th minute for his fifth goal of the season.

Motherwell's Liam Gordon was booked for a lunging tackle on Idah in the closing stages before referee David Dickinson was called to monitor and subsequently upgraded the punishment to a red card.

The result saw Celtic return to the top of the William Hill Premiership on goal difference from high-flying Aberdeen.

But Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was concerned about Corkman's Idah's fitness following the red-card challenge.

Rodgers said: "I think it felt a bit numb for him [Idah] at first. Obviously, it's not a great challenge, but I don't think the player has tried to hurt him. The problem is when you leave the ground, and then it rocked his ankle.

"So, he was struggling a little bit after that. I think once he got moving, he felt okay. We just have to see when he takes the boot off, but I'm sure there will be a little bit of swelling."

It is another potential injury headache for Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson.

Robbie Brady also suffered an ankle injury during Preston's 3-3 draw with Plymouth Argyle, while Ipswich Town's Chiedozie Ogbene has torn his Achilles tendon and could be out for up to nine months.

Hallgrímsson is also sweating on the fitness of Will Smallbone after the Southampton centre midfielder suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury.

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