Celtic clinched the Scottish Premiership title for the fourth season running on Saturday when they smashed Dundee United 5-0 at Tannadice Park.
The Hoops only needed one point to make it official, but, of course, they did it in style with a five-star display away from Parkhead to win the division yet again.
Brendan Rodgers will surely be delighted with his side’s performance on the afternoon, and may be particularly pleased with Adam Idah’s contribution to the win off the bench.
Why Adam Idah has won his place in the team
The Ireland international was taken out of the starting line-up for this match, despite scoring against St. Johnstone in the SFA Cup semi-final last weekend, but did not have to wait too long to get his chance.
Jota limped off the pitch towards the end of the first half and that provided the former Norwich City centre-forward with an opportunity to prove Rodgers wrong, after being dropped.
Idah, motivated to show that he belongs in the starting XI, made it 4-0 and scored his first of the match just two minutes into the second half, as he peeled away from Emmanuel Adegboyega to nod the ball into the bottom corner.
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The Irishman then made a terrific run across his former Norwich teammate to slot the ball into the bottom corner of the near post, making it 5-0.
Idah has, now, won his place in the XI, particularly if Jota’s injury keeps him out of the next match, ahead of the clash with Rangers next time out, because he came on and made a big impact in the final third.
He is not the only Ireland international who has made himself undroppable, though, as central defender Liam Scales put in an excellent showing.
Why Liam Scales is undroppable
The left-footed central defender has started the last three matches in all competitions, and the last two Premiership games, and has proven that he deserves to keep his place in the side.
Scales played a part in the opening goal for Celtic with his header at the back post that forced Ryan Strain to deflect the ball into the roof of his own net.
It was his play out of possession, however, that was most impressive. The Ireland international was not dribbled past a single time in the 90 minutes, and won eight of his 14 duels – dominating the Dundee United attackers on the deck and in the air.
He was up against Sam Dalby, who has scored 14 league goals this season, and limited the impressive marksman to zero shots and ten duels lost.
Minutes
90
90
Sofascore rating
7.8
8.0
Clearances
5
6
Interventions
1
1
Tackles
0
3
Duels won
7/11
8/14
Pass accuracy
95%
94%
Passes completed
144
103
As you can see in the table above, Scales has caught the eye in his last two Premiership appearances for the Scottish giants, against Kilmarnock and Dundee United.
The left-footed ace, who earned an 8/10 Sofascore rating on Saturday, has been incredibly reliable on the ball, completing 95% and 94% of his passes in those matches, which means that he provides a composed presence in possession to progress the play for the Hoops.
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Therefore, Scales should be considered as undroppable as Idah, despite having Auston Trusty pushing him for his place on the bench, ahead of the clash with Rangers next time out.