James McCarthy collected a Premiership winners medal on the final day of the season. The 31-year-old amassed the requisite games in order to qualify for a medal as a result of coming on in the second half. He spent the celebrations with his teammates before moving toward his family. A seasoned pro but a Celtic fan growing up, McCarthy will feel that he has much more to offer Celtic in his second season.
McCarthy arrived as a free agent from Crystal Palace. 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.
With Nir Bitton departing and Ismaila Soro also expected to move on, the player will see an opportunity to stake a claim as a reliable option for the manager. McCarthy played 22 times last year notching one assist in the cup against Raith Rovers but didn’t really get a run of games under his belt. It would be interesting to see how he progresses next year in the model of the manager and if, especially in Europe, the manager may think he would require another player to sit.
If Giorgos Giakoumakis’ turnaround last season tells us anything, it is that you should not write a player off yet. Tony Ralston can attest to transforming under Ange. There is a player in there with McCarthy, a player that can make a tackle and place a pass. He will be determined to prove himself to the manager and the fans alike but also to himself, that he deserves to be at Celtic.
McCarthy has battled back from a potentially career-ending injury. He has the minerals to keep fighting and proving himself to be a talented player. Next season can be a big season for the midfielder as he looks to get himself as fit as possible for the challenge on all fronts.
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Who is he going to displace from the midfield? You mention McGregor injured, Bitton and Soro, both players not the future in Ange’s mind. We also have Ideguchi who Ange signed as a holding midfielder and we are being linked with more midfielders. Massive challenge for James. Another expensive mistake.
total nonsense,he showed absolutely nothing whe he was given game time,palace dumped him and you think he is good enough to play for CELTIC.
“ sitting” is the one thing he might be good at. Total waste of money.