HE’S watched the clip back so many times.
Now Adam Idah is hoping for a repeat showing of last May’s Hampden heroics this weekend.
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Rewind 12 months and the on-loan Irish striker’s injury-time goal to defeat Rangers in the Scottish Cup final cemented his place in Parkhead folklore.
Eleven weeks later he was formally a £9million Celt — and now he’s looking to top off a 20- goal season with more of the same on Saturday when the Treble-chasing Hoops line up against Aberdeen.
Asked about his memories of that split-second moment when he slotted beyond Jack Butland after the Ibrox No 1 had spilled Paulo Bernardo’s shot, Idah, 24, said: “It’s something you don’t even dream of.
“It’s one of those things that’s so amazing that it’s hard to take it in. It took me a while to realise what I’d done. I’ve watched the video of it so many times.
“It was an unbelievable feeling to do that against them in that manner. It was amazing.
“At the time I was on loan and it was my last game for the club so it was a special and proud moment for me.
“How often do people remind me of it? Quite a bit, to be fair!
“It’s good to be reminded of it but at the same time I’ve got to stay focused. I know those chances don’t come around often.
“I’ve just got to focus on the next task. It’s exciting to go back there and hopefully we can go and win it again.
“Scoring in the last minute like that is good when it’s finished but not during the game! Now we want to go out there and perform on Saturday.
“Cup games are a lot different. It’s not a case where you can’t perform well but just cruise through it.
“You have to be on your top level and you can go either way. That’s what we want to do — go there and be successful.”
A June double-header with the Republic of Ireland then a holiday to the States meant Idah had to delay an emotional return to his home town of Cork to celebrate the strike.
But the whole Hoops squad will now head there for a friendly on July 8.
It will be another special occasion for Idah, who said: “I don’t actually think I did go home after the final. It was straight on holidays.
“With the internationals too it’s difficult to do anything. But when I have been home, it’s brilliant. The support back there is amazing.
“I honestly didn’t know Celtic was that big back home until I signed here. It’s amazing, the amount of people you see with Celtic tops on.
“Even the flights coming over to games, it’s brilliant. I’m really looking forward to the game there.
“I haven’t played back home since I was 16 or 17.
“To go back with Celtic is going to be amazing. I don’t actually know which team they’re going to support — Cork City or Celtic. It should be a fantastic occasion.”
But first up is the final — and with four straight post-split losses for Jimmy Thelin’s Dons in the build-up, including a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of a second-string Celts, a Hoops win looks a formality.
Throw in the fact Brendan Rodgers’ side wrapped the title up a month ago, have rested their top stars and have put 19 goals past Aberdeen this term, and nothing changes that view.
As for motivation, victory would also see Rodgers become their first ever boss to win three Trebles.
Celtic needed James Forrest’s late strike to earn a draw against St Mirren on trophy day on Saturday.
But Idah — who now has four winner’s medals with the Hoops — knows they must stay focused on trying to win rather than the glory that would come with it.
ADAM IDAH: CELTIC CAREER SO FAR
- Debut double: The striker scored both goals, including a 98th minute winning penalty, against Hibs on his debut for the Hoops.
- Scottish Cup final winner: Scored a dramatic late winner against Rangers, securing Celtic’s league and cup double.
- Successful loan spell: Netted nine goals in 19 appearances during his loan stint with Celtic, including a crucial late winner against Motherwell.
- Permanent signing: Signed for an, at the time, record-breaking fee, on a five-year deal after his impressive loan performances.
- 20 goals in a season: Reached the milestone of 20 goals this season.
He said: “That’s what the staff and us players have done brilliantly. Although we won the league early on we didn’t want to cruise through it.
“We still had our own targets we wanted to achieve. We didn’t want to take any game easily. We wanted to build momentum going into the Cup final. It was a bit unfortunate against St Mirren. We didn’t play our best.
“But trophy day was still brilliant, and it was probably written in the stars for Jamesy to score that goal.
“It was brilliant for all the fans, players and staff.
“We’ve worked hard all season, so it’s well deserved. It was just one of those games. Probably the occasion got the better of us.
“The league was the fourth medal for me so it’s good. You have to cherish every time you win something.
“I was on loan here last year but I always felt like I was part of the group.
“You still have that same feeling every time you win something. Speaking to Callum McGregor and James Forrest — they’ve won so many times but it’s still that same feeling of winning trophies. You’ve got to embrace it, you’ve got to enjoy it and hopefully there are more to come.”
Injuries and form have seen Portuguese midfielder Bernardo play more of a bit-part role this season.
But with Reo Hatate crocked in that win up at Pittodrie last midweek he could come into the reckoning this weekend.
Idah would have no complaints and added: “Paulo’s been brilliant.
“I’ve said it to anyone who asks me, Paulo’s one of the best players in the squad.
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“He’s technically unbelievable. You see it in training week in, week out. He’s a fantastic player but at the same time, no matter who’s behind me or who’s there, I’ve got as much confidence in everyone.
“We’ve got such a fantastic squad. Anyone who’s playing on the park I trust in and I believe they can create stuff.”
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