Brendan Rodgers: 'It would have been lovely for Adam, but it was just too big a risk'

Rodgers explained his reasons behind leaving former College Corinthians forward Idah out of his squad entirely.

Tue, 08 Jul, 2025 - 21:33

Andrew Horgan

“Cork is the new Mediterranean,” was Brendan Rodgers’ response when he was asked for his assessment on Celtic’s narrow Cork Super Cup triumph against Cork City.

In the baking heat at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday night, goals from Luke McCowan and Colby Donovan, either side of a superbly taken equaliser by 17-year-old Cork native Matthew Murray, ensured the Scottish champions claimed another piece of silverware.

But while they were treated to a decent contest, many of those amongst the 26,580 crowd that made their way to the home of Cork GAA may have been disappointed not to see Cork’s Adam Idah line out in the famous Hoops on his return to Leeside.

In a more serious tone, Rodgers explained his reasons behind leaving the former College Corinthians forward out of his squad entirely.

“Emotionally it would have been lovely, and Adam would have loved to have played but those international guys that come back Friday… he trained hard this morning and all those other guys, but it was just too big a risk,” he insisted.

“To come back in after being off for the summer and you only train Friday, Saturday, we normally would give them at least a week before they would play.

“Adam knows. I think for him it's just amazing for him to be back home, to come back… when I told him last year, we would be coming to Cork he was really excited about it.

“If the international games were at a different time, he would have been back in earlier and then trained and been on a good level.

“He understood why he wasn't involved, but I know he's loved being back here for this short time.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers meets fans before the pre-season friendly. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire.

One Irish player that did feature for Celtic on the night was Johnny Kenny and while Rodgers admitted he was also close to missing out, the Celts boss added that he hopes the Sligo native will sign a new deal with the club in the near future.

“It was nice for Johnny. He actually took a bad knock in training on Monday, and we weren't sure if he was going to be able to play.

“He got a real bad knock on his shin. But I think he was really determined to come over to Ireland and play.

“Johnny was threatening the back line, nearly looked like he'd get in a couple of times, but he always gives his all and we'll see how pre-season goes for him.

“I think the plan for Johnny is, if we can, because we still think there's a lot of development for him but yes, we would like to sign him to a new deal and then see what path it takes, whether he stays or whether he needs to go and get games. We'll know that over the coming weeks.”

Celtic’s trip to Cork has been short and eventful, but otherwise it seemed to have been a success for all parties.

Asked if a Cork Super Cup rematch is on the cards for next summer, then, Rodgers remarked: “I cannot promise anything, I can't commit to anything now.

“We've got so many offers to travel the world, but I also think it's good for us to take Celtic to different parts of Ireland as well.

“We've been to Sligo last year, that was great. We've been to Cork and our notion is always to come back to here.

“But the short time we've been here, we've been received so well, and the facility has been brilliant.

"The hotel (Fota) was so good, and the only problem was we couldn't play some golf!

“But can I just say, just officially as well, a big thank you to the people of Cork and the city.

“It's been so nice from when we arrived yesterday (Monday) afternoon. The support, the friendship, everything has been amazing so a wonderful place to come and play and tonight was a great event for us all. So, thank you very much for everything.”