Norwich manager David Wagner says "it made no sense" to prevent Adam Idah from joining Celtic on loan and added that the Republic of Ireland striker was "desperate" to make the move.
Having left for Glasgow on Deadline Day, the Cork native made his Celtic debut on Saturday as a substitute, weighing in with an assist as the Scottish Premiership leaders were held to a 1-1 draw at Aberdeen.
The 22-year-old, who has three senior international goals to his name in 22 caps for the Boys in Green, had scored six Championship goals for Norwich this season.
But he had found starts difficult to come by, with 12 during the campaign while coming off the bench 16 times for the Canaries.
Speaking at his post-match press conference in the wake of Saturday's 2-1 win over Coventry, Wagner was asked about the decision to sign Dutch striker Sydney van Hooijdonk - son of former Netherlands, Celtic, Feyenoord and Nottingham Forest centre-forward Pierre van Hooijdonk - from Serie A side Bologna on loan, and explained that Idah's decision to push for a move paved the way to bring in another forward.
"First of all, we have to say after Adam made his point clear that he [would] like to go on loan, for me what was clear when we can find an alternative, it makes no sense to keep someone who is desperate to go on loan," he said.
"I totally respect Adam's decision and his thoughts and I backed it at one moment then as well because I think it makes no sense to keep someone in the building.
"Our targets and our aims are too high. We have to have a group who's committed 100%.
"Then the chance popped up quite late to maybe get Sydney on loan and then with an option to buy as well. So it was the perfect scenario."
Wagner said the door was "absolutely" open for Idah to force his way back into the picture at Norwich this summer after his Celtic loan, with the striker's contract at Carrow Road running all the way until 2028.
"Again, I got Adam's point. This is why I backed this decision even if I would have been fine if he would have fought here for his spot," said the ex-Huddersfield and Schalke 04 boss.
"Obviously, this was the option which we had - him to Celtic, Sydney in - and as I said I wanted to have players 100% desperate to be here to push for our highest target this season and for this, everyone's mind has to be right and this is why I clearly said, 'Ok, let's try to do this'. So big credit to Ben [Knapper, sporting director] and his team that he was able to get this transfer over the line because I know there was a lot of interest in Sydney."
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