David Wagner insisted the Carrow Road door is not closed on Celtic-bound Adam Idah, but the Norwich City chief only want players fully on board for the Championship play-off tilt.

Idah completed a deadline night loan move to Scottish giants Celtic and served up an assist as a second half substitute in the Bhoys' 1-1 league draw at Aberdeen on Saturday.

Norwich sanctioned Idah’s departure after sealing a deal for Bologna forward Sydney van Hooijdonk, who made a late debut from the bench in the 2-1 Championship win over Coventry City.

Wagner is clear Idah still has a Norwich future when he returns at the end of the season.

“We have to say after Adam made his point clear that he likes to go on loan, for me, what was clear, that when we can find an alternative it makes no sense to keep someone who is desperate to go on loan,” said the City head coach, speaking after the Sky Blues comeback. “I totally respect Adam’s decision and his thoughts.

"At the right moment I backed this because our aims and targets are too high and we have to have a group who's committed 100pc.

“The chance popped up quite late to get maybe Sydney on loan, and then with an option to buy as well, so it was the perfect scenario.

“I got Adam’s point. And this is why I backed this decision. Even if I would have been fine if he wanted to stay and fight for his spot. I want players desperate to be here and to push for our highest target, and for this everyone’s mind has to be right. And now we know which group we have together.

“It is not the biggest numbers-wise to be fair. I said let's make a tight group who is desperate to push every day, to work every day, and where everybody can sniff that he has a chance for the starting shirt. And make sure we keep this competitiveness on the highest level.”

Przemyslaw Placheta also departed in the final months of his existing Carrow Road deal to link up with Swansea City. The Pole, who only made three league starts this season, was not going to be offered a new contract.

“You always in a situation like this think will it be quite tight or not in terms of numbers? Then there's obviously the wage bill, which you have to have in the back of your mind as well,” said Wagner. “At the end of the day, we agreed that this is a decision we ought to back and why Zemy could move on to Swansea.

"I wish all the players who left us in this window on loan on permanent, the best from the bottom of our heart.”