THE POWER & THE GORY

Adam had incredible strength as a teenager but his career was grinding to a halt at Norwich... I worried step up to Celtic would be too much for him but he has massive chance under Brendan

- BY FRASER WILSON

Champions League is a fair return in his first full season after ending his loan stint as a Scottish Cup Final hero.

Yet a section of the Hoops support remain unsure of the Irishman who, despite his goal haul, has never truly convinced he's ready to command the No.9 shirt.

It means the 24-year-old is at a crossroads with the new season off a running and Brendan Rodgers in the market for another striker.

O'Neill just hopes the 6ft 3in frontman can make the most of the attributes that made him a standout in that Under-17 competition at Loughborough and St George's. He recalled: "He was an underage player at the same time as Troy.

"Roy Keane and I went to Loughborough to watch the Under-17s who were playing in an international tournament.

"Idah was outstanding. He was big, he was strong - very strong.

"Sometimes you'd think to yourself: 'Well, there's no more growth in him so maybe when other people get a wee bit stronger...'

"But no, definitely, you could see he had plenty of talent.

"I did follow his career but it was grinding to a bit of a halt at Norwich, not getting into the side.

"I thought that stepping up to Celtic might be too much for him. I thought it was. So well done to him.

"Hes got a lot to live up to if he's going to lead the line at Celtic this season, and that's big. As a centre-forward, you're expected to score goals - and a lot of goals as well.

"And you're expected to be able to beat players, hold it up, run down the channels, do everything.