Brendan Rodgers has thrown his support behind Adam Idah after a video emerged showing the Celtic striker on a night out in Glasgow.

The £8.5 million January signing was captured in the popular city centre venue Wunderbar before appearing to be unwell in a taxi.

The footage, which surfaced online on Thursday, sparked discussion over the striker’s professionalism just days before Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone.

Rodgers confirmed he was aware of the video but had not watched it himself. However, he revealed Idah had contacted him personally to explain the situation, and the manager was satisfied with the striker’s account. [Celtic TV]

“Yes, I haven’t seen anything, of course. Adam rang me yesterday to take me through everything that happened. I spoke to him again this morning.

“There’s a sadness to it. He knows where I am in terms of, and the group knows where I’m at in terms of focus and mentality. This was on a day off.

“I think the sad thing for me is that a 24-year-old football player, who in his spare time can’t let his hair down without someone trying to film him. I think this is the challenge now for people in general, but in particular, if you’re a young football player, you see it.

“I got the full story from him. I don’t have any doubt he’s a great young professional. Adam does absolutely everything to be the best player he can be. The nutritionist outside of the club does his extra work.

“So I have absolutely no doubts about that. It’s just a shame that these things get pieced together and make it look a lot worse than what it is. People will see it, as I haven’t seen it, but I’ve heard some of the guys mention it. Yes, he has to live with that. I’ve got no doubts about his mentality.

“He’s had an evening off on Wednesday. We were off Thursday, and we’ve got plenty of time before the game Sunday. So yes, I’m with Adam on that.

“I think in modern society, and especially these young guys, they have to be guarded.

“Sadly, it’s the way of the world. People who will maybe go to sign an autograph or do a video, and then some clown comes in and says something else in the video. Then people wonder, why will players not do a video? Why won’t they sign? Why do they drive past? It’s because you try to expose them.

“So why do they take the risk then? Well, they just drive past, or they just don’t bother. Which is a sad thing because kids want their things signed and whatever else.

“It’s where we are. We just have to live with that and whatever was put out there, of course, people will have their own narrative to the story.

“I got it from him. He was honest enough to ring me yesterday and we spoke, which was great, and then I had a good chat this morning.

“He’s fine, and he trained really well. So he’ll be ready for the weekend.”

It’s the reality for footballers these days that they can’t go out and about without a phone getting stuck in their face. Back in the day, players could go for a drink in town, but these days it’s a rarity.

It’ll be a learning curve for the striker, who’s been at Celtic for just over a year now.

Idah will be looking to end the season strongly, after maybe not hitting the heights he expected for himself when he signed permanently in the summer.

He’ll likely get some minutes against St Johnstone at the weekend, but Maeda will likely start the match.