• Exclusive from Graeme Bailey

With their opening bid of around £4 million rejected all the way back in early-July, the lack of progress in talks over first-choice striker target Adam Idah may have had the Parkhead faithful concerned that last season’s loan star would not be returning after all.

Especially after Norwich City coach Johannes Hoff Thorup said on Thursday that the Republic of Ireland international had his head in the game, focused on the start of the new Championship season.

“(Idah and the other exit-linked players) with the group and they are important,” Thorup said ahead of this weekend’s opener with Oxford United, via the Daily Record. “That’s how it is.

“We have to respect that the window is still open so so many things can happen. We cannot affect what can happen. We cannot affect whether there will be another offer from a club.

“That’s how it is and that’s what I tell the players on a daily basis. Thankfully, they are doing well. They’re performing well, they’re training well and I’d also say that their heads are ready to perform here.”

But while Norwich can have few complaints over Idah’s application in the build up to the new campaign, HITC understands that the Cork-born 23-year-old still has his heart set on a permanent return to the green side of Glasgow.

Celtic confident of signing Norwich City ace Adam Idah

Idah has made it clear to the Carrow Road bosses that he is only interested in joining Celtic. A number of other clubs have expressed their interest but Idah purely has eyes for Brendan Rodgers’ team.