When people look for small things to argue about, it means that things are going pretty well. After months of asking that the Celtic board spend a lot of money on Adam Idah, some fans are now complaining that it’s too much.
The transfer fee of £8.5 million, which could go up to £9.5 million, is a big expense. It’s the second largest cheque they’ve ever signed. But it’s still not much when you look at the club’s overall earnings and the market they were shopping in.
It doesn’t matter what you think; £10m doesn’t get you much in the English Championship these days.Although Celtic doesn’t want to, they have to go with the flow. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to them. They used to pay £5m and £6m for players like Chris Sutton, John Hartson, and Neil Lennon more than 20 years ago. Things change. A bone of contention for some of the harder to please is the fact the club are coughing up so much on a back-up scorer.
But anyone who thinks Idah came back from Norwich to Parkhead on Wednesday night to skelfs on his bahookie hasn’t been paying attention. Idah won’t be some kind of reserve singer playing second fiddle to Kyogo. He’ll share striker duties with the Japanese fans’ favourite – and eventually take over them as Celtic’s main poacher.
Kyogo won’t be cast away, certainly not in the short to medium term. The 29-year-old has made an amazing start to the season. And while he might not have hit the net yet, his pace, movement and link-up play have been key to the explosive opening two wins.
But Rodgers clearly is a fan of Idah and what he brings to his side. He is a physical figure that can hold the ball up and allow attacking midfielders and wide men to flood the penalty area. And it could only be a matter of time before he becomes the go-to guy up top.
Former Celtic striker Andy Walker can see it too. And he knows you don’t spent that kind of real money unless it’s on a major piece of the puzzle. Walker said: “I don’t think Brendan Rodgers will play both. In time Adam Idah will be the No.1 scorer at the club. It might finally need to be Kyogo who has to settle with time on the bench.
“I think it’s a good piece of business from Celtic. I’ve got to say I didn’t think Celtic would pay that amount of money for anyone. I just didn’t think they had that look about them but it’s good for the fans. I don’t think Celtic would have won the title without him.
“He scored very important goals. So I think very quickly he will become the No.1 scorer at Celtic Park. They’ve paid so much money for him. He is the type of player that Brendan Rodgers likes and prefers.”
The Idah deal has deeper importance too. After a summer of frustration in the transfer market for supporters, the huge outlay on Idah is a statement of purpose. It’s also a sign Rodgers is going to get the help he needs to raise the levels around Celtic Park.
Celtic could have bailed out of talks with Norwich when the fee started to get eye-watering. Had they walked away at these figures and signed another £5m striker from somewhere else, punters would probably have been appeased. But Rodgers wanted this one – and he got his man regardless of the cost. The question is now if the same rules apply for the rest of the work needed.
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