Opinion: Patience required for Celtic’s James McCarthy

James McCarthy will be hoping that Ange Postecoglou will persist with his integration into the first team. The 30-year-old played in the absence of Callum McGregor but dropped out for the captain against Leverkusen. In the league, Nir Bitton replaced him in the middle of the park but McCarthy will be hoping that he can be at the forefront of the manager’s thoughts to play this No.6 role for the Celts.

McCarthy was probably unfortunate in the respect that he had come in to replace Callum McGregor. The captain’s energy and ability with the ball is unique in the league and McCarthy has been expected to almost replace that immediately. However, he is not that type of player and could potentially work well with McGregor in the midfield going forward.

The player had COVID-19 and his game time appeared to be limited by the manager before that in order to get him up to full fitness. McCarthy appears to have been thrust into the main stage with McGregor’s injury. Hopefully, he can stay fit and Celtic can see the level of performances that saw McCarthy earn accolades in the Premier League.

The former Everton & Crystal Palace midfielder has played eight times this season, gaining one assist against Raith Rovers. The level of performances have not been up keeping with the expectations of a player of his standard.