IS ADAM IDAH over-priced at the £9.5million Celtic shelled out for him in the summer?
Or are the champions getting value for money for the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international striker?
Idah appears to be one of those players who has the ability to split opinion among the fans.
The powerhouse frontman was introduced to the Parkhead followers in January last year when Brendan Rodgers signed him on a short-term loan from Norwich City to ease the reliance on Kyogo Furuhashi to get the crucial goals to help in the quest for a league and Cup double in the manager’s comeback season.
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING…Adam Idah celebrates his Scottish Cup Final winner with Jack Butland a mere spectator.
He made his first appearance as a substitute against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on February 3 and helped to set up the equaliser for another new Bhoy, Nicolas Kuhn, in the 1-1 draw.
Four days later at Easter Road, Idah thumped in a double from the penalty spot in a vitally important 2-1 victory over Hibs.
The strapping 6ft-plus attack leader had scored eight goals by the time he came on in the 61st minute replacement for Kyogo in the Scottish Cup Final against Philippe Clement’s Ibrox outfit at Hampden on the iconic date of May 25.
The Cork-born forward cemented a place in Celtic folklore when he thumped in the last-gasp winner – and just about sealed a permanent move at the same time.
Idah reckons it’s “unbelievable” he has netted 19 goals in a campaign that saw the champions part company with fans’ favourite Kyogo who was spirited off to Rennes in January in a £10million deal.
Statistics back up the assertion of the player, but a graphic emerged on BBC Sportscene at the weekend that emphasised that the marksman could do better.
Image courtesy BBC Sportscene.
It displayed the amount of big chances that have come the way of Idah and his team-mates Daizen Maeda and Khun.
It also showed the conversion rate.
Maeda had 31 opportunities and scored 15 and missed 16 for a rate of 48.4 percent.
Kuhn claimed eight and missed nine from his 17 chances for 47.1 per cent.
Idah trailed in third with eight goals and 18 misses in his 26 opportunities for a conversion rate of 30.8 percent.
The Irishman states he is only interested in the ones that go in while it’s obvious some of his critics prefer to dwell on the ones that get away.
No doubt the debates will continue throughout the summer as the transfer guessing game goes into overdrive.
Will Rodgers splash the cash to bring in a permanent replacement for Kyogo?
Or will he be content to buy a squad player to rotate with Idah?
NINETEEN-GOAL SALUTE…Adam Idah acknowledges the Celtic fans at Ibrox after his equalising goal in the 1-1 draw. Anthony Ralston, Arne Engels and Liam Scales join in the celebrations.
Maeda has fired in 33 goals this season which, in turn, has led to speculation interested clubs may attempt to make Celtic an offer they can’t refuse.
In the meantime, Idah intends to get his head down with league games against the Dons at Pittodrie and St Mirren at Parkhead to play before the curtain comes down a week on Saturday in the Scottish Cup Final against Jimmy Thelin’s team.
Could Idah stage an action replay of last year’s Hampden heroics?
The Irishman has a habit of confounding his detractors. Don’t bet against him!
‘TO GET 19 GOALS IS UNBELIEVABLE,’ IDAH FIRES BACK
