'Adam's role at Celtic is very different' - Hallgrimsson identifies Idah's Ireland challenge

It’s natural for Adam Idah needing to adapt his game when switching work environments between Celtic and Ireland.

International Friendly, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 6/6/2025

Adam Idah’s transition from club to international football – differing demands between playing for Celtic and Ireland – remains a work-in-progress for Heimir Hallgrimsson.

The Cork-born striker got the nod ahead of Evan Ferguson to lead the line in Friday’s 1-1 friendly draw against Senegal after he’d supplied the winner as a substitute in the 2-1 triumph over Bulgaria.

Troy Parrott’s illness convinced the Icelander’s decision to spare him with a view to being involved away to Luxembourg on Tuesday, Ireland’s final audition before the World Cup qualifiers kick off against Hungary on September 6.

It’s natural for Idah needing to adapt his game when switching work environments between Celtic and Ireland.

His day-job consists of winning and retaining trophies whereas Ireland are currently trying to regain lost ground from a slump to 63rd in the world rankings.

“Adam deserved to start against Senegal,” noted Ireland boss Hallgrimsson.

“He produced a solid performance. His workrate was, I thought, better than often before. Again, it’s healthy competition up front.

“Adam took the job seriously. It (workrate) has not been an issue but in his club it’s just so different a role (that) it’s difficult to switch.

“We need a lot of defending from our strikers and he’s just not used to it at Celtic – where they have their possession at say 60/70/80% in games.

“The space he needs to work on in games is small. It’s a switch and hopefully players are learning more and more.

“He is growing. He knows what we expect, so that’s a positive sign.” 

Ireland travel to the Grand Duchy on Sunday, with the manager likely to make a number of changes to his starting team.

Ferguson’s lack of game-time during a loan spell at West Ham United was a factor in keeping him in reserve but he’s likely to be one of the beneficiaries of the quick turnaround.

“Evan has been really good and we were even thinking of starting him against Senegal,” the manager explained.

“He’s been sharp in training and I think you saw when he came on he was sharp. We’ve been really happy with him in the sessions. Whether he was ready for 90 minutes, we were not sure.

“When a player is sick, like Troy was, we’re not doing him a favour playing him at 80%.

“We would like to play him fully fit and give him the chance to show himself when he is fully fit.” 

Uncapped Josh Honohan, John Patrick Finn and Max O’Leary are likely to feature.

“When you do friendlies and give players a chance you will get answers,” reasoned Hallgrimsson about his first two non-competitive matches since taking charge last July.

“Not all of them will be positive answers but you need to have answers.

“The new players have rocked the boat a bit, so the players watching will think ‘oh, this one is coming’.

“We need to have more than one option because if you are injured in September you might miss out for the whole series of six qualifiers. We must be prepared for that as well.”