Ally McCoist blown away by what player Everton sold for just £8m did earlier today

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Former Everton striker Ellis Simms has had a mixed time since completing his move to Championship side Coventry City.

According to INews, the Sky Blues signed the 23-year-old for an initial £3.5million, although that fee could rise to £8million if certain personal and team milestones are achieved.

That’s a significant outlay for a Championship club, and before Simms’ recent hat trick against lowly Rotherham, he had managed just six second-tier goals.

However, the former Everton striker is undoubtedly showing his worth in the FA Cup, having netted five goals in this season’s competition.

And now, he has fired Coventry into the last four of the competition and given the Sky Blues their second trip to Wembley in just under a year.

Ally McCoist blown away by former Everton star

Coventry produced a fine display on Saturday to see off Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Simms scored twice and registered an assist on a memorable day for Mark Robins’ side.

In the built-up to Haji Wright’s 99th-minute winner, ITV pundit Ally McCoist was blown away by the former Toffee’s assist.

Talking on ITV co-commentary, he said: “Ellis Simms does fantastically. As does O’Hare. O’Hare takes a chance to knock it in with his left foot. Simms gets right across the defender, look, brilliant. Wright opens his body up and slings it into that far corner. What a goal. What a game.”

Is Ellis Simms one that got away for Everton?

It’s hard to speculate what could have been for Simms in an Everton shirt.

Expectations were raised upon his return to Goodison Park after his loan spells at Blackpool and Sunderland. Unfortunately, during his brief first-team outings, he couldn’t quite make the desired impact. Of course, it’s easy to look at his form now and suggest that letting him go was the wrong decision.

But, for the club to bank for £3.5million, with the potential for another £4.5million in the future for a player who never really reached his full potential seems like astute business.

The second tier feels like it’s his level. If Coventry get promoted, it will be intriguing to see how Simms fairs back in the top flight.