James McCarthy starts again for Celtic’s B Team

James McCarthy was named in the Celtic B starting XI against Gretna 2008 in the Scottish Lowland League. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers spoke in the summer about finding a compromise for McCarthy and the club but nothing followed and the central midfielder remained with the Scottish Champions.

This is now McCarthy’s second game for the B Team as he looks to get himself sharp and ready to look for first team football in January. Darren O’Dea and Stephen McManus have clearly decided that the inclusion of McCarthy in the B Team squads will assist in supporting the young players around him – similar to Tom Huddleston’s role at Manchester United.

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Here is how the Bhoys line-up for the final match of the year against Gretna at the Excelsior Stadium 📋⤵️#CELGRE | #SLFL | #COYBIG🍀 pic.twitter.com/0Kmfptf20t

— Celtic FC B (@CelticFCB) December 29, 2023

It is disappointing that it never worked out for James in a Celtic shirt but he did play his part in a successful two seasons. Last season in October, McCarthy was instrumental in Giorgos Giakoumakis’ late winner at St Johnstone.

McCarthy arrived at Celtic as a free agent from Crystal Palace in 2021. The player signed a four-year deal, which raised eyebrows; however, he was coming in during a period of upheaval at the club and it was believed that he could potentially step into the shoes of Scott Brown. As it transpired, McCarthy found it challenging to get going. He contracted COVID-19, found himself injured and then found himself out of favour. While Callum McGregor was out, he enjoyed a brief spell in the team but always looked like he was getting up to speed.

Two years later and twenty-seven appearances later, it would be in everyone’s interests if the player were to be moved on in January.