James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

[Torn-Ado]

Scotland fans and officials should be asking themselves the question 'Why are Scots born youngsters are turning to Ireland to play international football rather than the country of the birth?'

The sooner they realise that has got more to do with Scottish society and culture, the sooner they might actually fix their little problem rather than ranting about and abusing Ireland for stealing their players. To be honest if the SFA or FA came to Ireland to scout youngster I'd imagine they'd be turned down. Perhaps I'm naive in thinking that but I feel they'd find it more important to play for their own country.

[Royal rover]

watching him play against rangers - he's getting dogs abuse from the rangers fans- he's playing well though

[Gather round]

The sooner they realise that has got more to do with Scottish society and culture, the sooner they might actually fix their little problem rather than ranting about and abusing Ireland for stealing their players

Has it, though? The abuse, while disgraceful, doesn't explain why McCarthy and McGeady chose not to play for Scotland. Scottish society and culture- at least the footballing aspects of it- aren't that different from Ireland's.


To be honest if the SFA or FA came to Ireland to scout youngster I'd imagine they'd be turned down. Perhaps I'm naive in thinking that but I feel they'd find it more important to play for their own country

I don't think you can say, generally. Every example is different. Stephen Ireland and George McCartney, say- they weren't linked with any other country but they couldn't/ can't be bothered to play for their own for long periods.

[co. down green]

Making his 100th senior appearance today

The youngest ever footballer to achieve 100 first-team appearances in Scottish football.

Not bad for an 18 year old.

[tetsujin1979]

playing up front in a 3-4-3 formation
strange for hamilton to play like that

[eirebhoy]

Strachan called it a 3-6-1 formation.

[third policeman]

Has it, though? The abuse, while disgraceful, doesn't explain why McCarthy and McGeady chose not to play for Scotland. Scottish society and culture- at least the footballing aspects of it- aren't that different from Ireland's. .


And niether are the cultures (footballing at least) of NI and RoI yet we have two national teams and two national identities. Presumably McCarthy and McGeady feel Irish in the same way that Andy Goram, Stuart McCall and David Speedie felt Scottish despite being born and brought up in the culturally similar nation of England.

[Gather round]

And niether are the cultures (footballing at least) of NI and RoI yet we have two national teams and two national identities. Presumably McCarthy and McGeady feel Irish in the same way that Andy Goram, Stuart McCall and David Speedie felt Scottish despite being born and brought up in the culturally similar nation of England

TP- my point wasn't to criticise McGeady and McGrath, or to defend Scottish culture. It was simply to suggest that, were the situation reversed, some fans and media in Ireland might well react in the same way.

Speedie was born in Glenrothes, Fife btw.

[third policeman]

TP- my point wasn't to criticise McGeady and McGrath, or to defend Scottish culture. It was simply to suggest that, were the situation reversed, some fans and media in Ireland might well react in the same way.


You could be right. But I think we are deluding ourselves if we try to ignore the sectarian edge to this. There have been a number of contributions on this site dealing with scenarios involving second generation Polish or Nigerian players, and in these circumstances I dont think that the media in the RoI would give them a hard time. But lets imagins a situation where we had a United Ireland or even just a united football team, if a Northern-born player from a Unionist background opted to play for England or Scotland through grand parentage and continued playing domestic football here, then I think the reaction would be pretty hostile. I respect McGeady and McCarthy's right to play for us, but I can understand how this grates with some Scottish people.

[greendeiseboy]

just seen that he's not in the team tonight.....is he injured...cant see anywhere that he withdrew from the squad

[back of the net]

ireland have just gone 1-0 up - own goal but jay o shea is claiming it.

[tetsujin1979]

Keeper came for a free, punched it off his own defender, and O'Shea knocked it in with his knee!

[back of the net]

Keeper came for a free, punched it off his own defender, and O'Shea knocked it in with his knee!

did he - fair enough , i didnt watch the replay , thought it already crossed the line


sure they all count

[aidz1]

and what if mccarthy in the 21s...was he injured or something??

[tommy_c12000]

and what if mccarthy in the 21s...was he injured or something??

Not sure if he was genuinely injured but he was definitely pulled out of the squad having being named initially in it

[tetsujin1979]

McCarthy available for the U-21's VS Turkey on Tuesday: http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4153

[Deckydee]

Will he now be called into the senior squad for the game against Nigeria?

[tetsujin1979]

possibly, AFAIK the next U-21 game isn't until the autumn
I'd prefer to see Garvan, Treacy and O'Toole though
Nothing against McCarthy, just I don't want to throw an 18 year old into international football

[boovidge]

If he's good enough, he's old enough. He has way more first team experience than some of our current players.

[Razors left peg]

If he's good enough, he's old enough. He has way more first team experience than some of our current players.

Thats a fair point. He has more first team football under his belt than alot of 21 year olds

[Junior]

I kept an eye on him today at Celtic Park. Hamilton were poor and had little possession, though when he was involved he had some nice touches. Didnt make any real impact for Hamilton though (they looked like a schoolboy team - ive just read that 7 of them were u21).

A bit like Sheridan, no need to burden this guy with Senior International football, let time take its course........

[eirebhoy]

Celtic fans using any excuse to fly an Ireland flag to back McGeady and McCarthy:
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm168/kdsnum7/hm40/IMG_0047.jpg

[paudie]

McCarthy available for the U-21's VS Turkey on Tuesday: http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4153

He came on against Turkey in the U21 game in Cork last week.
Ireland were 2-0 at the time but he looked like a good player. Not sure why he didn't start. Maybe he wasn't fully fit.

[Traps Cat]

Celtic fans using any excuse to fly an Ireland flag to back McGeady and McCarthy:
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm168/kdsnum7/hm40/IMG_0047.jpg


A noble gesture in my opinion.

[eirebhoy]

He came on against Turkey in the U21 game in Cork last week.
Ireland were 2-0 at the time but he looked like a good player. Not sure why he didn't start. Maybe he wasn't fully fit.
Just that none of the midfielders deserved to be dropped after the last 2 games.

[WexCar]

nominated for SPL young player of the year along with Hamilton teammate James MacArthur

[tommy_c12000]

The boy's on fire today! Has banged in 2 goals so far

[tommy_c12000]

His second one was supposed to be a screamer. From BBC sport:

"James McCarthy doubles Accies' lead with a superb long-range effort after clever play by Richard Offiong."

"Kilmarnock's good work since the break is undone by a moment of magic by James McCarthy!" BBC Scotland commentator Alasdair Lamont

[co. down green]

Hamilton Academicals manager Billy Reid believes that James McCarthy’s immediate future still lies at New Douglas Park, despite the interest the youngster has attracted from a host of top clubs.

Reid watched the 18-year-old put in one of his most impressive shifts for the club on Saturday, tearing Kilmarnock apart and scoring both goals in his side’s 2-1 win.

Although there are plenty of teams who would love to pry the young Irish under 21 international away from Lanarkshire come the summer transfer window, Reid hopes he can hang on to his prized asset for a little longer.

“He’s in no hurry to leave, but if something comes up and James thinks it’s right for him and the club we’ll sit down and that could be the case” said Reid.

“But I think he sees the education he’s getting at this club.

“There were eyebrows raised when he didn’t go and sign for Celtic or Liverpool when they were interested at 15 years old, but I think he’s been proven right.

“He’s matured as a young man and is enjoying his football here.”

Young Player of the Year nominee McCarthy more than justified his inclusion in the list of candidates for the award in the crucial relegation dogfight, displaying all the credentials that have earned him endless praise over the season.

His manager believes that when the starlet is at peak fitness he can be simply unstoppable.

“He has no weaknesses” insists Reid. “Whatever’s thrown in front of him he deals with it, on and off the park, and all credit to him.

“He’s been running on empty on recent weeks. We tend to forget he’s only 18 and you can see at training that he’s tired.

“It’s been a long season for him, but the few breaks we’ve had recently have helped him enormously.

“When he’s fresh, he’s a fantastic football player who has everything. Vision, pace, goals and he links up the play, and he works back the way as well which is important.

“He is outstanding.”

[gustavo]

Another season or 2 at Hamilton won't do him any harm at all

[tommy_c12000]

Another season or 2 at Hamilton won't do him any harm at all

Wouldn't agree. He's 19 in November. This is the summer to move and take his football to the next level or else risk being institutionalised into the mediocrity that is the SPL

[livehead1]

Another season or 2 at Hamilton won't do him any harm at all

Nooo! He really needs to make the step up and enjoy better training with better players and test himself at a higher level.

[Colie]

What a goal! He is the future. I'm so glad he declared for us when it mattered.

[Colbert Report]

I'd like to see him playing for Ipswich next season.

[Razors left peg]

Nooo! He really needs to make the step up and enjoy better training with better players and test himself at a higher level.

Has it worked for Aaron Ramsey at Arsenal since he moved from Cardiff at a young age?
Its a tough one, Ramsey is probably learning alot from the coaching staff and the players surrounding him at Arsenal where as McCarthy is benefiting from first team football every week... I cant decide which is the better option personally

[Hibernian]

Just been named young player the year in Scotland

[seanfhear]

Well done James McCarthy.

[boovidge]

2nd year in a row isn't it?

[stiffler]

2nd year in a row isn't it?


this is his first season in the spl, there is a possibility he got the award for the 1st division last season also.

[carloz]

Just been on Sky Sports News that Portsmoth have enquired about him to Hamilton. Probably wouldn't be the best move in the world but he would get guaranteed football. However with their money problems there is only one way Portsmoth are heading

[Paddy Garcia]

2nd year in a row isn't it?

I thought McGeady won the young player last year. And the player too.

[tommy_c12000]

I thought McGeady won the young player last year. And the player too.

Yes McGeady did. The 2nd player ever to do so. While McCarthy won the young player of the year award in the 1st division last year

[tommy_c12000]

Portsmouth just had a bid rejected for him. Apparently the first written offer they have received although there has been numerous verbal enquiries. I reckon he is definitely on the move this summer. Accies just waiting for a high enough offer. Listening to McCarthy after receiving SPL young player of yr award, he gave me the impression that he is ready to move on this summer

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5287551,00.html

[tommy_c12000]

Apparently they only offered £500,000. It will take a lot more than that to sign him

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2009/05/06/pompey-bid-for-mac-kod-86908-21335579/

[geysir]

Portsmouth just had a bid rejected for him. Apparently the first written offer they have received although there has been numerous verbal enquiries. I reckon he is definitely on the move this summer. Accies just waiting for a high enough offer. Listening to McCarthy after receiving SPL young player of yr award, he gave me the impression that he is ready to move on this summer

What did he say to give you that impression?

By the sounds of it Hamilton don't appear desperate, they are quite willing to keep him on but will consider sane offers.

[tommy_c12000]

What did he say to give you that impression?

By the sounds of it Hamilton don't appear desperate, they are quite willing to keep him on but will consider sane offers.

When he is going about his future during the interview, he says that if the right offer comes in, he will definitely sit down with "the gaffer" and discuss it. The very fact that he even mentioned this, shows that he is ready to move on this summer. There will be numerous offers this summer, Hamilton will eventually relent and accept a few, then McCarthy will be away. Hamilton need the money to buy 3 or 4 good SPL players to consolidate next season and will be keen to cash in while McCarthy's stock is highest, while McCarthy leaves for a better club to further his football development. All in all a satisfactory outcome for both parties.

[Denis The Red]

Apparently they only offered £500,000. It will take a lot more than that to sign him

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2009/05/06/pompey-bid-for-mac-kod-86908-21335579/

Heard on Today Fm news, Hamilton want in the region of 5m for him.

[zackmorris]

IMScoutings player to watch:

http://www.imscouting.com/player_to_watch.aspx?id=rkbp2L6MPtEUmJX18H0XZg||&name=James+McCarthy

[boovidge]

Interesting that he never intends to drink alcohol. You would never guess he was 18 reading his quotes.

[irishultra]

what a cool guy. i hope he ends up being amazing:D