- Rodgers hits out at those who try to expose footballers after video of Irish striker goes online
- Manager says 24-year-old called him on Thursday to provide an explanation for what happened the evening before
- Rodgers insists he has no doubts about Idah’s professionalism ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi final with St Johnstone
- Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport
Brendan Rodgers has mounted a strong defence of Adam Idah after video footage emerged of the Celtic striker appearing to be sick in a taxi.
Circulated on social media, the clip is understood to have been taken on Wednesday night.
The Republic of Ireland international immediately contacted Rodgers on Thursday to explain the circumstances and has received the backing of the Celtic manager.
Rodgers, who confirmed Idah will be in his squad for Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone at Hampden, insisted he has no concerns over the 24-year-old’s professionalism.
Instead, the Parkhead boss railed against the difficulties faced by players in enjoying their down time in the era of smartphones and social media.
‘I haven’t seen anything but Adam rang me yesterday (Thursday) to take me through everything that happened,’ said Rodgers.
Adam Idah trains at Celtic on Friday after footage emerged of him being sick in a taxi
Rodgers defended Idah and railed against difficulties faced by players on their down time
Idah, far left, follows his team-mates on to the training ground at Lennoxtown on Friday
‘I spoke to him again this morning. There’s a sadness to it. He knows, and the group knows, where I am in terms of focus and mentality.
‘But this was on a day off. The sad thing for me is that a 24-year-old football player in his spare time can’t sort of let his hair down without someone trying to film him.
‘This is the challenge now for people in general but in particular if you are a young football player.
‘I got the full story from him. I don’t have any doubt he is a great young professional. He does absolutely everything to be the best player he can be. He has a nutritionist outside of the club, he does extra work.
‘So I have absolutely no doubts. It’s just a shame these things get pieced together and make it look a lot worse than what it is.
‘I haven’t seen it but I’ve heard some of the guys mention it. He has to live with that. But I have no doubts on his mentality.
‘He’s had an evening off on Wednesday and we were off on Thursday. We’ve got plenty of time before the game on Sunday. So I’m with Adam on that.’
Rodgers admitted that his message to players to be wary of their surroundings when enjoying a social life has to be reinforced.
Idah has been struggling for form of late and failed to score in last week’s 5-1 win over Kilmarnock at Celtic Park
Celtic skipper Callum McGregor has a brief altercation with Idah during the Killie match
Rodgers felt ‘saddened’ that someone felt compelled to film Idah during his spare time
‘In the modern society, especially young guys, they have to be guarded,’ he added. ‘Sadly, it’s the way of the world.
‘People will go to sign an autograph or do a video and then some clown comes in and says something else in the video.
‘Then people wonder why players won’t do a video, why do they drive past? Well, because you tried to expose them. So why do they take the risk then, they just drive past, they don’t bother.
‘Which is a sad thing because kids want things signed or whatever else. But it’s just where we are, we have to live with that.
‘Whatever was put out there, people will have their own narrative to the story but I get it from him. He was honest enough to phone me yesterday, which was great, then we had a chat this morning.
‘He is fine, he trained really well and he’ll be ready for the weekend.’
