Brendan Rodgers makes Adam Idah transfer stance clear as Celtic boss demands new signings

Adam Idah was absent from Celtic’s training session on Friday morning as the club’s transfer activity intensified ahead of Sunday’s trip to face Rangers

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers insists Swansea target Adam Idah will not be departing unless he receives assurances of a replacement. The forward was missing from Celtic’s Friday morning training session as the club’s transfer dealings gathered pace before Sunday’s clash with Rangers.

Sources suggest he was already in south Wales undergoing a medical ahead of a potential £7million switch, whilst winger Yang Hyun-jun has been connected with Birmingham. Nevertheless, having seen his pleas for attacking additions largely ignored throughout most of the transfer window, Rodgers adopted a resolute position.

“There’s interest in Adam but obviously no-one can leave here unless we get players in to replace,” he said. “It’s as simple as that. There’s been negotiations and chat around it, but I have to have players in here before I can consider letting anyone go.”

Rodgers was left frustrated by events in January when the club sold Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes with roughly a week remaining of the window, and failed to bring in a replacement for their leading marksman.

“I just think it’s logical and it’s common sense,” Rodgers said. “We’re really light in that area of the field. And I’m pretty sure there would be a number of clubs that would want some of our players, but there’s absolutely no way we can move anyone out unless we have absolute guarantees that there’s going to be people to come in to replace.”

Rodgers stated: “It’s been ongoing for Yang for a little while. And I understand that when you’re a player that’s probably been mostly used as a squad player over a couple of years, there comes a point when you maybe want to move on and play.

“But I’ve been unable to do that because we’ve needed Yang here. But I also know that if he does stay, he has a contribution to make, because we need five, six wingers because of the number of games we play, the intensity that we want to play.

“But there has been interest in him. But yet again, I repeat, I can’t really do anything unless we have players in.”

Celtic are on the brink of confirming the signing of Uruguayan left-back Marcelo Saracchi from Boca Juniors after the 27 year old was spotted training at Lennoxtown.

Belgian winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha, whose transfer from Royal Antwerp was announced by Celtic on Thursday, also joined the training session and the 24 year old could be set for his debut against Rangers.

Rodgers commented: “He’s obviously fit and strong and he’s been playing games so he’s ready to play if needed.

“It’s great getting him in the building, a player that we’d seen for a period of time over the last year. I like his talent and he’s got that skill set to play for Celtic. He’s an exciting player who works very, very hard.

“We have Marcelo in the building as well. He gives us that cover that we need for Kieran (Tierney) in his position.

“And I’m very hopeful that we can close the window out over the next few days with getting the signings that’s going to give us that real depth in the squad that we need.”

Celtic have been strongly linked with a potential swoop for Anderlecht and Denmark striker Kasper Dolberg.

The ex-Ajax and Nice attacker has found the net five times in eight outings this campaign following a prolific spell that saw him bag 20 goals for club and country last term.

“There’s obviously a number of players that we’re looking at that we need to bring in, especially on the front line,” Rodgers said when quizzed about the 27 year old.

“But I think we’ll be busy, pretty active, over the coming days.”