James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

[Insidetherock]

Does he want to continue playing for Ireland?

He never seems to come out and say it, so maybe he's just decided to make the best of his final couple of years in club football and retire

Might sound crazy, but if Cullen is banned from the first Nations League game (and I don't see why he will be, it's a completely different competition from the WC), might be consider using the March games to have a look at someone else.. perhaps even the likes of Collins in the defensive midfield role?

[Diggs246]

The commentator said he was banned. But your right there is no way he is
Whats his salary does anyone know guess? I'm wondering is the salary much higher in the championship.
I'd prefer to live in anderlecht then Stoke but not for half the salary

[dynamo kerry]

The commentator said he was banned. But your right there is no way he is
Whats his salary does anyone know guess? I'm wondering is the salary much higher in the championship.
I'd prefer to live in anderlecht then Stoke but not for half the salary


this article suggests anderlecht players are the highest paid with average of 600K euro per annum

https://www.thebulletin.be/pro-footballers-belgium-earn-more-eu20000-month#:~:text=A%20football%20player%20in%20Belgium %E2%80%99s%20first-class%20Jupiler%20Pro,insurance%20premiums%2C%20ho liday%20pay%20and%20a%2013th%20month.

I also saw a unsubstantiated reference to him making 900K sterling per annum which is around 17K a week. sounds like it could be right.

not sure what stoke players are getting in the championship but if cullen gets a move to a premier league club in the next two years, he'll get 40-50K for 5 years...

[Diggs246]

If he's on 900k stay and enjoy your waffles mate!

[dynamo kerry]

If he's on 900k stay and enjoy your waffles mate!


I Would say he was at least on the local average - I see internet posts suggesting he was on 10K at west ham.

he only cost them 900K apparently as well.

I would suggest the club and himself both want him to move onto bigger things. 900K isn't bad if you can sell him for $5M 1 or 2 years later. international exposure does no harm either.

mccarthy on the other hand could be thinking anything. I'd hope he still has some appetite in him. he went through a lot to declare for ireland but in my view has one big campaign of unfinished business in him. I could forgive him keeping quiet and trying to get back to a dominant position at club level first though.

mccarthy and cullen in a midfield would be very interesting. mccarthy was at his best when cut loose from being a pure DM so I'm not sure how this works except it likely means hendrick will suffer.

[Bielsa´s irish]

I can ser McCarthy more as a playmaker now. Next to Cullen and any other guy like McGrath Kilkenny or Johansson we are lacking that fellow who can destroy a defence with a NO LOOK pasa as James did for Celtic their last match. If James can place a teammate one on one with a goalie thats great!!!

[Fixer82]

I can ser McCarthy more as a playmaker now. Next to Cullen and any other guy like McGrath Kilkenny or Johansson we are lacking that fellow who can destroy a defence with a NO LOOK pasa as James did for Celtic their last match. If James can place a teammate one on one with a goalie thats great!!!

yes, Macca has reinvented himself as a kind of Wes Hoolahan type player

[tetsujin1979]

1469021705746145299

[Bielsa´s irish]

Playing in the hole as #10 today in boxing day. Star presence today.from this fellow Linking up with Rogic so smoothly

[Poor Student]

Playing in the hole as #10 today in boxing day. Star presence today.from this fellow Linking up with Rogic so smoothly

He gave a reasonable performance today with some good tackles and some good passes (albeit somewhat ambitious at times). His effectiveness dropped off quite a bit after 60/65 mins. He's still going to struggle to get a lot of game time this season being behind McGregor, Bitton, Turnbull and Rogic as a CM option and Celtic also look to be signing two Japanese midfielders Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi.

[Snapshot]

I can ser McCarthy more as a playmaker now. Next to Cullen and any other guy like McGrath Kilkenny or Johansson we are lacking that fellow who can destroy a defence with a NO LOOK pasa as James did for Celtic their last match. If James can place a teammate one on one with a goalie thats great!!!
Let's hope he's as creative as your imagination.

[Colbert Report]

What's the scoop here? From what I've read online, he's been left out of all the Celtic squads and they're trying to get him to move on. He's got three years left on a big money contract so surely he won't accept a move?

[CSAD]

What's the scoop here? From what I've read online, he's been left out of all the Celtic squads and they're trying to get him to move on. He's got three years left on a big money contract so surely he won't accept a move?

He’ll be on the sideline no matter where he goes, the smart move is at least stay where he’s making abit of bob.

[seanfhear]

Can he coach ?

[third policeman]

He’ll be on the sideline no matter where he goes, the smart move is at least stay where he’s making abit of bob.


Sad because he was a fine player for a spell before injuries took their toll.

[Eirambler]

Can he coach ?

I doubt it - he's even duller than Steve Staunton in interviews so I'd be surprised if he overly inspired players as a coach.

[OwlsFan]

I doubt it - he's even duller than Steve Staunton in interviews so I'd be surprised if he overly inspired players as a coach.

If that's the case I am surprised Man Utd won anything under Ferguson or will win anything under their current manager.

[Eirambler]

I think the fear of getting football gear thrown at them inspired Fergie's players as much as anything!

[seanfhear]

I think the fear of getting football gear thrown at them inspired Fergie's players as much as anything!
And getting a dose of the Hair-Dryer even though their hair was perfectly dry ! !

[third policeman]

Came on late in game against Leipzig when they were 3 -1 down and actually looked sharp. Played a lovely insightful pass and showed for the ball. Who knows, maybe he can revive his career yet and give us a decent midfield option?

[seanfhear]

Came on late in game against Leipzig when they were 3 -1 down and actually looked sharp. Played a lovely insightful pass and showed for the ball. Who knows, maybe he can revive his career yet and give us a decent midfield option?
He certainly has been rested if that is what was needed.

[tetsujin1979]

the 27th Irish player to appear in the Champions League
1577742832605052929

[Fixer82]

How did he play?

[Diggs246]

I'm i mental to think he will ever play for us again?
When fit ( which is rare).him and cullen would work well. Especially against top tier teams

[Jd2793]

sadly i dont think mccarthy is able to play for us anymore. injury record is awful and given his age it would probably shorten his club career. regardless, he seems to have struggled with celtic and they look a lot worse when hes on the pitch. himself and cullen would be a poor enough match imo

[Demesne Lad]

Injury-blighted McCarthy on his way out of Celtic, according to Brendan Rodgers.

‘He will be looking to move on’ - Brendan Rodgers confirms Celtic exit for James McCarthy | Independent.ie (https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/he-will-be-looking-to-move-on-brendan-rodgers-confirms-celtic-exit-for-james-mccarthy/a456644293.html)

[Eirambler]

"He will be looking to move on" is likely code for "we're desperate to ship him out" in this case. Ange wanted him gone 18 months ago, Rodgers wants him gone now. McCarthy might be quite happy where he is though - one way to avoid being out injured is if you're not getting picked anyway.

[Colbert Report]

If I were him, I wouldn't take a penny less than the full amount owed to him over the next two seasons. Interesting to see that he's been linked with a side in MLS.

[irishfan86]

As bizarre as it sounds, he may be able to make something similar or more on his next deal -- and if he has guarantees to that effect, maybe he'll take that opportunity.

I will say MLS is definitely the wrong league for him to go to though. There are technical deficiencies among many players but it's a physical league.

[Razors left peg]

As bizarre as it sounds, he may be able to make something similar or more on his next deal -- and if he has guarantees to that effect, maybe he'll take that opportunity.

I will say MLS is definitely the wrong league for him to go to though. There are technical deficiencies among many players but it's a physical league.

Any league that actually expects him to play football is the wrong league for him at this stage

[Diggs246]

I know he's injuries were a disaster for his career progression. But I don't think he gets nearly enough credit for what he did and was part of.
For Wigan there is no FA cup win without James.
for us, we don't go to euro 2016 without James McCarthy in that qualification campaign and we don't get into the 16 in that competition without him either

[Fixer82]

I know he's injuries were a disaster for his career progression. But I don't think he gets nearly enough credit for what he did and was part of.
For Wigan there is no FA cup win without James.
for us, we don't go to euro 2016 without James McCarthy in that qualification campaign and we don't get into the 16 in that competition without him either

He was excellent against Italy but did he play a massive role in qualification? I honestly can’t really remember

[Eirambler]

He didn't show up at Celtic Park anyway.

[seanfhear]

He didn't show up at Celtic Park anyway.
In fairness Celtic were bonkers to give such a contract to a player with McCarthy's injury profile / recent number of matches.

That's up to Celtic. They must be able to afford it.

[Eirambler]

Sorry, I meant against Scotland in the Euro 2016 qualifiers - can see how that wasn't clear though!

[tetsujin1979]

He was excellent against Italy but did he play a massive role in qualification? I honestly can’t really remember
Played seven of the ten qualifiers, plus the two play offs
Missed the 7-0 win against Gibraltar, the 1-1 draw with Germany, and the 2-1 loss to Scotland

[Diggs246]

He was excellent against Italy but did he play a massive role in qualification? I honestly can’t really remember
The Germany win he was literally unbelievable.
Also v Bosnia

[irishfan86]

Yes remember him standing out in the Germany win. It's too bad his career has been so stunted by injuries but Diggs246 is right to point out some of those moments when James was fit -- he was quality on his day. Would be great if he could put together a season or two of healthy football at any level at this point.

Given he seemed to have a decent enough time with Crystal Palace, wonder if Hodgson would take him back on a short term deal.

[Fixer82]

The Germany win he was literally unbelievable.
Also v Bosnia

Yes i remember him being excellent against Germany in Lansdowne now that you say it

[liamoo11]

I know he's injuries were a disaster for his career progression. But I don't think he gets nearly enough credit for what he did and was part of.
For Wigan there is no FA cup win without James.
for us, we don't go to euro 2016 without James McCarthy in that qualification campaign and we don't get into the 16 in that competition without him either

Quality player. Unfortunately couldn't stay fit which was a massive loss for us. A level above any centre mid we have now Unfortunately

[OwlsFan]

Likely moving on in January but who will buy him ? https://tbrfootball.com/forgotten-man-celtic-told-they-should-be-considering-selling-14k-a-week-player-in-january/

[JR89]

That man is going nowhere unless Celtic pay off his contract. I hope he buys his agent a nice Christmas present every year because it still baffles me how he got McCarthy a four year contract.

[Eirambler]

He's as likely to be moving on in January as he was in the last three (four?) transfer windows before that. I hear he's keeping well, he and his family are settled close to home, his golf game is going from strength to strength and he'll likely be going absolutely nowhere, despite what Celtic might want. They signed the contract, they must pay the wages.

[Razors left peg]

his golf game is going from strength to strength

I heard he pulled his hamstring putting tee in the ground and is out of golf for 6 months

[Colbert Report]

One year left to run on his contract at Celtic, is he just going to sit back and collect the money? No word of a summer move for him.

[seanfhear]

One year left to run on his contract at Celtic, is he just going to sit back and collect the money? No word of a summer move for him.This must be one of the worst moves since Joe McCarthy went after the Communists ( many of which did not actually exist ) in America in the 1950's / 1960's !

[Razors left peg]

One year left to run on his contract at Celtic, is he just going to sit back and collect the money? No word of a summer move for him.

I doubt we'll ever seen him on a football pitch again. Collect last year of his contract and retire I'd imagine.

[CraftyToePoke]

I doubt we'll ever seen him on a football pitch again. Collect last year of his contract and retire I'd imagine.

You wouldn't give him a contract to look after an empty pencil case after the job he did on Celtic. Some operator.

[Razors left peg]

You wouldn't give him a contract to look after an empty pencil case after the job he did on Celtic. Some operator.

Him and Harry Artur must have shared notes on how to get so much for doing so little. I've no sympathy for Celtic though, whoever agreed to give him a 4 year contract at the time doesn't deserve to work in football

[elatedscum]

. I've no sympathy for Celtic though, whoever agreed to give him a 4 year contract at the time doesn't deserve to work in football

That’d be Big Ange