The goals have dried up for Ireland's Adam Idah at Celtic at late but it's not something that concerns manager Brendan Rodgers yet.
Idah signed for Celtic on a permanent deal last summer after an impressive loan spell in the back half of the 2023-24 campaign saw him endear himself to the green and white half of Glasgow.
However, things have been trickier for the Corkman this season.
Idah has managed just eight goals since making the permanent move to Glasgow in August, and is without a goal in 11 appearances since late November. Part of this is to blame on game time. Idah has started just five of those 11 games, amid an ever-deepening battle for spots in Celtic's front three.
Kyogo (10), Nicolas Kuhn (9), and Reo Hatate (6) have all outscored Idah (5) in the Premiership this season, while Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels are also right in the mix.
After a rare start for Idah at Ross County on Saturday once again turned out goalless, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers came to the defence of the Ireland international.
READ HERE: Chelsea Great Reveals How Classy Jose Mourinho Gesture Landed Him In Hot Water
READ HERE: The Less Successful Sibling XI – The Lesser Loved Brothers Of Football
Brendan Rodgers praises Adam Idah despite lack of Celtic goals
Injury to Daizen Maeda meant a rare chance for Adam Idah up front for Celtic on Saturday at Ross County, and afforded his fellow Irishman Johnny Kenny a Premiership debut off the bench.
Idah could start again on Tuesday night against Dundee, as Maeda recovers from a strain, and Brendan Rodgers was keen to encourage the Corkonian pre-match.
Speaking to the Scottish media ahead of Tuesday's trip to Dundee, Rodgers praised the efforts of Idah off the ball and insisted that the goals would come in time.
I thought Adam did well at the weekend [in the 4-1 win at Ross County], yet he didn't get his goal. I think some players are better in rhythm and playing. But there are certain positions that you have to produce. That's the reality of it.
But I was really pleased with his contribution. I don't need my striker to score 40 goals a season, I really don't. If you look at any of my teams, the goals are always spread out. What I need is the players to be intense, to be aggressive.
There were some great moments for him at the weekend. Yeah, he didn't get his goal but he was there, made vital contributions, setting up the game for us, allowing other players to attack the space. He's working very, very hard, Adam.
I just think it's one of those ones, it will drop for him at some point. But if we're scoring four goals and your striker's not scoring, then you will take that.
I think it's his own self-pride, you want to score goals. As a striker, that's why you're there – to create goals, score goals. But for me, as long as I'm seeing the work rate and the intensity and the mentality, then I'm really happy with that. The goals will come for him.
Adam Idah will certainly hope to find his shooting boots sooner rather than later. Not only has game time at club level been limited, but his opportunities with Ireland have become increasingly infrequent. He has not scored for his country since June, and did not play a single minute across November's window of internationals.
Ireland and Celtic fans need no introduction to what Adam Idah can do in top form - both sets of supporters will merely hope to see him rediscover that form in the coming weeks.