Irish stars on the move – Idah ignites Champions League dream in Glasgow

Author: Enda McElhinney, Last Updated: 01.10.2024

There was a time in the not so distant past where Irish players were regularly sighted in the Champions League but those days have largely gone by, for now at least. Roy Keane, Damien Duff, Ian Harte, Robbie Keane, Shay Given, Steve Finnan and John O'Shea were just some of the Irish players that made themselves comfortable amongst the European football elite but it is a sight that has become a rarity now. Adam Idah was a big-name mover in August, finally sealing his return to Celtic and the forward will have a Champions League campaign to look forward to with the Glasgow giants as UEFA unveils the biggest revamp of Europe's top event since the early 1990s. Idah isn't the only Irish player that has secured a move, while some other international teammates may need to consider their own change of scenery.

This week, we're looking at some of the Irish movers and shakers as new Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson gears up face England at the Aviva Stadium in early September in his first game in charge of the Boys in Green.

It's where I want to be – Idah

Cork-born forward Idah spent the second half of last season on loan at Celtic from Norwich City and his return to Parkhead seemed a matter of 'when and not if' all summer long, though it had to wait until mid-August to get over the line as the Bhoys parted a potential £9.5m to secure the 23-year-old's services. Idah's first coming in Glasgow was greeted in muted fashion but the poacher soon turned that around. He scored doubles against Hibs and Motherwell early on, latterly as Celtic came-from-behind to win at Fir Park in a February clash that really was pivotal on their road to a third successive Scottish Premiership crown.

He netted in a pulsating 3-3 draw against Rangers at Ibrox in April and, in the final moments of the season, it was Idah that pounced at Hampden Park to get the all-important Scottish Cup Final winner as Celtic once more had the final say over their Glasgow derby rivals. That all mean cult status for Idah amongst the Hoops support and both sides appeared to long for his return. Celtic are guaranteed eight Champions League games this season and Idah will be relishing the chance to run out in Glasgow's East End against some of European football's aristocracy. It's a major move for the forward, one Hallgrimsson is sure to approve and Idah himself suggested of his return to Paradise: "I'm at a great club now. It's where I wanted to be."

Szmodics and Ogbene team up with Tractor Boys

Portman Road in Ipswich could be a venue the Ireland boss finds himself getting to know in the coming months after Sammie Szmodics and Chiedozie Ogbene recently joined Dara O'Shea at the newly-promoted Premier League side.

The Tractor Boys have ended a two-decade wait to get back amongst the English elite and they are setting out their stall to stay there, although they'll be betting favourites to go straight back down. Ogbene spent last season with Luton Town as they were relegated, the former Cork City and Limerick man getting four goals in 30 appearances as the Hatters valiant efforts eventually proved futile.

The chance to once more play in the word's most talked-about league was one the 27-year-old 'had to grab with both hands'.

Already installed under boss Kieran McKenna was Szmodics. He has quickly shown he can be a player at this level, scoring at champions Manchester City on the second weekend of the season and he is a man in confident mood after netting a career-best 27 league goals in the Championship for Blackburn last season and making his Ireland debut against Belgium in March. Irish eyes will be following the Tractor Boys keenly this season.

Kelleher in danger of stagnating

One Irish international that desperately needs to consider a move is goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher at Liverpool.

He joined the Reds academy from Ringmahon Rangers in summer 2015, aged 16, and some nine years later he has 15 Premier League appearance – just one more than his 14 Ireland senior caps.

Kelleher won plenty praise from Jurgen Klopp in his time at Anfield but Brazil international Alisson Becker remains the Reds' first-choice shot-stopper and isn't keen on leaving any time soon, with two more years on his deal.

Worryingly for Kelleher, the Anfield club have signed 23-year-old Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia in a deal worth up to £29m this month.

Where does that leave the Irishman? In limbo, quite frankly. Kelleher has never been sent out on loan, his status as No.2 behind Alisson preventing that avenue from exploration. The time has surely come to move on, find a new club and start playing regular first-team football. Kelleher retains enormous potential and could learn from Aaron Ramsdale, the England netminder set to get out of Arsenal after one season as David Raya's understudy. Warming the bench is no place for a goalkeeper with ambition.

Stay tuned for more Bet in Ireland's weekly sports content.

✒️ Enda McElhinney – Football and GAA Sports Expert

Enda McElhinney is an Irish-based sportswriter, specialising in written content on the GAA, horse racing and football. He has more than a decade of experience across many publications, bringing a wealth of knowledge and betting nous to his craft. You'll find his content featured on many websites, including The Telegraph and Planet Sport.

When he isn't at this desk or the racecourse, he loves to unwind on the golf course – though sometimes that can be more stressful than working!