SEAMUS Coleman has been one of the best Everton players of recent years.

He was signed from Irish club Sligo Rovers for £60,000. That’s one bargain and a half.

James McCarthy has been badly missed by the Merseyside club during his absence through injury. The midfielder, of course, began his career at Hamilton Academical before making a name for himself down south with Wigan Athletic.

Read more: Kristoffer Ajer tells Kieran Tierney his Celtic team-mates are desperate for him to stay

John Stones was signed for £3m, loose change in the English Premier League, from the mighty Barnsley and has since moved to Manchester City for the best part of £50m and is currently starring for his country in Russia.

Our own Graeme Sharp was voted into the Everton all-time greatest team. He was at Dumbarton when he moved south for £150,000.

Of the current Everton squad, Morgan Schneiderlin cost £20m when he moved from Manchester United and Gylfi Sigurdsson was apparently worth £45m when lured from Swansea City a year ago.

There have been no trees pulled up by either player at Goodison.

That legendary team Sharp was named into contains Neville Southall (£150,000 from Bury), Peter Reid (60,000 from Bolton Wanderers) and Trevor Steven (£300,000 from Burnley when they were in Division three).

The moral of this story? Just because a player is signed for big money and/or from a ‘big’ club, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will be any good. Everton should know this better than most.

By all accounts, Everton will become the first club since Arsenal two years ago to make a bid for Celtic’s Kieran Tierney.

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If the bid begins at £25m and wages hit the basic of £60,000 a week, gulp, they just MIGHT get a deal.

As someone who has got to know Tierney over the past few years, I can tell you that he won’t jump at the first big pay packet, he’s hardly on buttons at his beloved Celtic, but like all players will back himself to make in what is a superior league.

For me, he is the most naturally gifted Scottish player I have seen at 21, he hit that landmark only this month, since Charlie Miller almost 25 years ago. In terms of Celtic, I go back to Paul McStay who at 21 was sensational. That’s 1981.

Tierney doesn’t drink, trains like a beast, has a good head on his shoulders and when you add that altogether with his footballing talent, then £25m seems about right in the a market which saw fit for £50m to be spent on Andy Carroll.

And, yet, a quick dip in the social media cesspit would suggest Everton fans don’t want our one true gem.

Read more: Kristoffer Ajer tells Kieran Tierney his Celtic team-mates are desperate for him to stay

He’s from Scotland which is “a pub league”. He is never challenged (my nan would win with Celtic). And, of, course, could he handle playing for a big club like Everton whose crowds are lower than Celtic, as are the expectations and demands re how many games Tierney played last season and whose last trophy was the 1995 FA Cup. He’d be okay.

What is it about our neighbours that they feel so keen to point out our failings while seemingly being pleased, and this was a point put to me, that last season Everton spent (wasted) £150m and they could do it again this summer?

As if that’s anything to be proud about, particularly as this is ‘The People’s Club.’

The thing is, I really like Everton. Goodison is the best ground I have been to in England, they’ve always got a really cool strip, the songs can be really witty and every time I’ve been I have felt welcomed and happy.

I have no idea what Tierney, a sensible young man, is thinking, but what I know is whatever decision he makes will be the right one for him.

If he does go, then Everton for whatever reason feels a good fit for him – even if he will never call himself a bluenose.

I just wonder whether those keyboard warriors who have never seen his remarkable footballer kick a ball deserve Kieran Tierney.