Adam Idah simply stopped in for a peaceful pint in his Cork pub, but he was besieged by Celtic fans who ordered a double.
The on-loan Norwich striker grew up among Hoops fans in Ireland, so he didn’t need any introduction to the Parkhead club. Nonetheless, a flying visit home while on international assignment surprised him and served as a reminder of what was at risk in the coming weeks. Idah received a hero’s welcome when he was taken by a friend to the Ferry Arms, the home of the Cork No.1 Celtic Supporters Club, near his childhood home.
The 23-year-old is a Republic of Ireland international, but he believes he would have gone undetected if he wasn’t starring for Celtic. And Idah knows that if he can keep his form going and lead Celts to a couple of cutlery in the coming weeks, he won’t have to put his hand in his pocket in many pubs very soon.
The frontman – who made it seven goals in 10 appearances with a goal in the weekend win over St Mirren – said: “I popped into a couple of pubs back home in Cork. I didn’t expect all that, to be honest. I was shocked when I walked in!
“It was great seeing everyone. They sent me some footage of the place from the other weekend watching the Rangers game and the place looked amazing. It’s not far from where I grew up. My mate took me down and we met some fans and the owners. It was top class.
“I don’t think I would have got that reception if I wasn’t at Celtic. They’d just think I was just another local lad. Coming here you are treated like a hero wherever you go. It’s fantastic. I don’t know if I’ll need to buy a pint again – I hope not!
“The fans are so good. Every single person I’ve met has been top class. You can be driving through the city and people are cheering you on. It’s great for us players to have that fan base behind us. It really motivates you to fight for them.”
Idah didn’t need any lessons on the size of Celts before he arrived on loan from Norwich in January. But the sheer scale has still taken him by shock and he admitted his life has been turned upside down.
He said: “I knew the club was huge when I came up. I know everyone says it but you don’t actually realise how big it is until you are here. For example, I got sent a video of the goal from a pub in Australia. It was mobbed and it was going crazy.
“You realise people are watching this all over the world. It’s amazing how big this club is. It has taken me a bit by surprise. I was saying to my mum recently, I didn’t actually realise just how many Celtic tops I was seeing when I was back home.
“They have always been there but maybe I just wasn’t noticing as much. It’s still a bit of a shock to me. It’s been weird. There are so many fans back home that will come up to me. Even lads I used to kick a ball with when I was young and are still friends are asking me for photos.
“I’m thinking, ‘What is going on?’ It’s crazy. My life has gone a bit strange. No matter where I go I think I’m going to bump into Celtic fans somewhere. Hopefully I can just keep repaying their support.”
Idah is approaching the situation correctly. The massive frontman has a remarkable strike rate, with seven goals in six games, including key efforts in tight victories against Hibs and Motherwell, as well as a 3-3 draw at Ibrox nine days ago.
He was at it again with a lively substitute cameo against St Mirren, when he seemed like a man on a mission to score before sealing a 3-0 victory. Idah’s entrance was understated at a time when Hoops fans were clamouring for more reinforcements.
But he has more than won over the crowd, and there is now a push in the stands to make his move permanent in the summer. Celtic will have to negotiate with Norwich, with his displays in Scotland likely to have an impact on his potential fee.
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