It’s a sign of things going pretty smoothly when fans look for the small details to debate. After spending months demanding the Celtic board splash the cash for Adam Idah, now some of those supporters are grumbling it’s too much.
Sure, the £8.5million transfer fee – which could hit £9.5m – is a hefty outlay. It’s the second biggest cheque they have written. But it’s still small change when you look at the club’s general finances – and it’s also small fry considering the market they went shopping in.
Like it or lump it, the guts of £10m doesn’t get much in the English Championship these days. Celtic have reluctantly had to go with the flow but it shouldn’t be a surprise to them. It’s more than 20 years since they were signing off fees of £5m and £6m for the likes of Chris Sutton, John Hartson and Neil Lennon. Times 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 striker.
But if anyone thinks Idah checked back into Parkhead from Norwich on Wednesday night to get skelfs on his bahookie, they have not been paying attention. Idah won’t be some kind of reserve frontman playing second fiddle to Kyogo. He’ll share striker duties with the Japanese fans’ favourite – and eventually take over them as Celtic’s primary poacher.
Kyogo won’t be cast aside, certainly not in the short to medium term. The 29-year-old has made a stunning 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 victories.
But Rodgers clearly is a fan of Idah and what he brings to his side. He is a physical presence 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 serious 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 striker at the club. It might eventually 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 supporters. 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 striker at Celtic Park. They’ve paid so much money for him. He is the type of striker that Brendan Rodgers likes and prefers.”
The Idah deal has deeper significance too. After a summer of frustration in the transfer market for supporters, the huge outlay on Idah is a signal of intent. It’s also a sign Rodgers is going to get the backing he needs to raise the levels around Celtic Park.
Celtic could have bailed out of negotiations with Norwich when the fee started to get eye-watering. Had they walked away at these figures and recruited 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 required.
Celtic already look strong enough for Scotland but short for Europe. They are not going to blow £70m to compete at that level but they still need strengthening in key areas.
Left-back remains an issue. Greg Taylor has been outstanding and is even more pivotal for the way Celtic are playing this year. But that means losing him to injury is unthinkable.
Centre-back is another role needing addressed, with another wide attacker on the wish list, along with potentially a replacement for if – or when – Matt O’Riley eventually goes. The Idah deal shouldn’t be in isolation but just the start. Former Celtic full-back Mark Wilson admitted Rodgers getting the green light this week could be a sign of the power the manager wields at the club.
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