Former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady has all-but confirmed that James McCarthy is looking to leave Paradise this summer. The pair were teammates with Ireland as well as Everton and McGeady, now back in Scottish football with Hibs, said that he bumped into McCarthy and asked him about his plans.
Speaking to Open Goal’s Right on the Coupon show, McGeady revealed McCarthy’s stance and added that he thinks the Irish Internationalist would be a success if he swapped Celtic Park for the Stadium of Light.
“I met him the other day and I was half interested to hear what he was thinking about Celtic and whether he still had ambition to play every single game, or whether he was cool to sit at Celtic and not play.
“But he was like, ‘No, I want to play’. We spoke for two minutes, but he did actually say that (he wants to play). I think him going into that Sunderland team, he’d play every game.
“Sunderland just now have just such a young squad. They are going that Brentford model way of young players with asset value and don’t sign over the age of 24.
“I think he would be good. For him, he’s got to be playing games. He’s probably went a few years without having a sustained run of games in the team. Sunderland are still the biggest club in Championship.”
McCarthy has been linked with a move away this window as he looks to get regular first-team football. The 31-year-old completed a dream move to Celtic last summer but he has been a bit-part player. Sunderland, who were promoted to the Championship via the play-offs, will be looking to add to their ranks as they look to take a crack at promotion to the Premier League.
McCarthy was on the bench for this afternoon’s game up in Dingwall but with Aaron Mooy arriving, you cannot help but feel that opportunities will be extremely limited for the ex Wigan and Palace midfielder. McCarthy still has three years remaining at Celtic, you would imagine that the final year of that is an option. A transfer or loan with the option to buy may be the correct course for the player and club as it would open up his wages while allowing him to play regular football.
I am not yet sold on Mooy. He looks anything but calm!
His passing is very poor, and his general all round play so far is questionable at best!
He may well turn out to be Ange’s worst addition.
Give him time Joe.
Mooy has a bit of catching up to do in order for him to be at the level required in Ange’s team. Ange knows the Lad and I’m sure he will get the best out of him in due course. Like a lot of players, time will tell, so, I’ll judge further down the line. Solid performance today at a difficult ground, 3 points well earned.