NafisaJOHN HARTSON considers Brendan Rodgers a consistent trophy-collector as Celtic’s manager.
However, he is concerned about how persistent rumors regarding Rodgers’ future might affect the upcoming season’s competition for honors against a revitalized Rangers.
Rodgers, who aims to be the first Hoops manager to secure three Trebles, is nearing the final year of his three-year contract.
The Northern Irishman has declared he is “200 per cent” certain to remain in charge for the entire 2025-26 season.
But Celtic icon Hartson, 50, said: “Brendan’s come back, he’ll certainly do the three years at the club with the contract that he signed.
“I think one million per cent he’s in for next year.
“The issue you’ve got is the whole year Brendan will be asked, ‘Are you staying? Or are you going?’.
“He doesn’t want that to affect the team.
“Brendan will be linked with big moves to Italy, Spain or wherever.
“But for everyone’s sake, there needs to come a time at some stage next season where he comes out and tells people about his future.
“Because if he waits until the end of the season, everything is going to be dominated by what Rodgers is doing.
“Whether he does that, the club might want that as well. Let everyone know so they can start preparing.
“In an ideal world, he’d stay. And hopefully he’d stay for plenty more years.
“He seems very happy at Celtic. He’s come back and he’s won trophies again.
“He’s got a tough game against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final, of course.
“But Brendan hoovers up trophies. That’s what he does.
“He does what it says on the can. He’s a winner.”
Hartson strongly supports £9million striker Adam Idah and empathizes with the former Norwich City player over criticism that he’s not worth his transfer fee.
The Republic of Ireland international has scored 18 goals this season, including last Sunday’s goal against Rangers to secure a 1-1 draw at Ibrox.
Overall, including an initial loan period last season, Idah has tallied 27 goals in 68 matches, one of which was the dramatic winner in last year’s Scottish Cup final triumph over Gers.
Not all Hoops supporters are convinced by the 24-year-old, but Hartson is.
He added: “I’ve always been a fan of Idah.
“When he first came up, he scored nine goals between the start of his loan deal and when it ended.
“Idah is powerful, runs in behind and nine goals was a very good return.
“He definitely played his part in helping Celtic because Rangers were in it for long periods, weren’t they?
“Then they went to Ross County, got beat. Then there was the Dundee game.
“Idah came on really well last season.
“That loan period would have forced Celtic’s hand to go and get him.
“I’m sure they would have had one or two other options.
“But because of his potential, and the way that he came in and did very well, scoring goals, that’s the reason why Celtic paid the money for him.
“Remember, as well, he’s been in and out of the side. He hasn’t really been a regular.
“He was competing with Kyogo Furuhashi, who for me was world class. Then he moved to France.
“He had games while Kyogo was there as well.
“But when Kyogo went they moved Daizen Maeda through the middle, and he has been exceptional in the role.
“Last weekend at Ibrox, Idah came up with a big goal, a great turn and shot.
“He’s still a young boy, and what you’ve got to remember is before he came to Celtic he was a sub for Norwich, he wasn’t in their first team.
“So he came up to Celtic as they reckoned they could do with a centre-forward. Somebody with a bit of presence and who was a totally different player to Kyogo.
“Idah came up and I thought he did exceptionally well, but now he’s got to live up to that £9m price tag, which he’s been doing.
“He’s come back with 18 goals this season and he’ll get better and better.”
Hoops legend Hartson reflects on how he grappled with the burden of a hefty price tag when he joined Parkhead.
Particularly after failing to score in his first ten games for the club following his £6m transfer from Coventry City in 2001.
But once Hartson finally found his scoring touch, he became prolific over his five years in Paradise.
He’s confident Idah will excel as the primary striker in Rodgers’ attack next season—if given the opportunity.
Hartson said: “I’ve got to say, you play no part in the fee. It’s like Arne Engels.
“For me, Idah’s more than paid that price tag back. It’s £9m, no disrespect, that’s a lot of money.
“But £9m for a top striker is a snip really given what forwards are going for now.
“Idah’s got massive potential, playing for his country, scoring for the Republic of Ireland.
“I’m a fan, and I believe he can get even better.
“But what Idah’s already done, he’s scored nearly 30 goals — 18 this season and nine last year — in the short period that he’s been here.
“He’s got many attributes and he’ll do very well.
“If Celtic had paid £3m for him, people wouldn’t mention the price tag.”
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