Celtic are facing competition from Newcastle for James McCarthy, according to TeamTalk. The central midfielder’s contract expires in the summer at Crystal Palace and the player is being courted by Celtic and Steve Bruce’s Newcastle.
Celtic could see McCarthy as a successor to Scott Brown in the middle of the park, aiding heir apparent Callum McGregor to fill the vacuum left by departing club legend Brown. McCarthy brings a blend of experience and pedigree that could make him an important player for seasons to come.
The 30-year-old has made 269 Premier League appearances, scoring 13 goals and assisting 16 times. The player has struggled for game time this year, making just fourteen appearances for Palace and he is expected to find out if he will be offered new terms by Palace.
McCarthy is said to be waiting on a decision from Palace before looking for a new club. However, with the transition at Celtic right now, the club should look to secure a player that has both experience but also the quality to improve our team.
Ultimately it will be a decision for the new manager and if he thinks that he can build his team around someone like McCarthy. But in terms of finding a player that wants to play for Celtic and can improve us, McCarthy could certainly be that.
