‘Major positive’: Sutton says £17m Prem deal shows Celtic have secured a bargain….

Was nine goals in 19 games sufficient to warrant a potential £9.5 million outlay? If the add-ons are met, Adam Idah could become Celtics’ most costly signing ever.

If he continues to perform like he did during his first stay at Parkhead, the answer is a loud yes. It wasn’t simply the sheer number of goals – Idah scored one every two games during his loan spell from Norwich City – but the timing of them that made the Republic of Ireland international such a success north of the line.

Stoppage-time efforts versus Hibernian and Motherwell. That thrilling last-second triumph in the Scottish Cup final versus Rangers, an Old Firm opponent. Without Idah’s intervention, Brendan Rodgers’ team could have concluded the season with no trophies.

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton, who earlier labelled the glacial pace of negotiations as ‘baffling’, is pleased to see Idah return.

Late is incomparably better than never.

“Idah’s return is a major positive,” Sutton told the Daily Record. “It’s strange to watch some fans grumble about the £9.5 million charge after requesting the Parkhead board release the purse strings all summer.

“I don’t believe it’s a lot of money in the larger scheme of things. If you think back to 2000, the contract for people like me, Neil Lennon, and John Hartson would be worth around £13 million after inflation.

“If you look at football inflation, I’d cost about £150m these days!”

Sutton has a point.

Almost every team you can think of has shattered its transfer record in recent years. The game has altered dramatically in the five years since Celtic paid £9 million for Odsonne Edouard.

After selling Jota, Liel Abada, and Carl Starfelt, and with Matt O’Riley potentially on his way, The Hoops are reinvesting those cash back into the playing roster, which is a good thing.

Sutton also mentions the £11 million fee Ipswich Town is paying for another striker from England’s second tier.

Yes, Sammie Szmodics earned the Championship Golden Boot last season for Blackburn Rovers. However, Celtic’s deal, which is five years older than Idah and has significantly less resale potential, may represent greater pound-for-pound value.