James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

[Docboy]

In fairness our best player of the laster 15 years, Keano, didn't head over to England until a few years later. It didn't seem to do him any harm.

Good to see a bit of patience, and perhaps, devotion in a young lad. He helped get them up and now wants to give the SPL a go with the rest of the team. One more year is not going to hurt his development. I'm very excited to see how this lad is going to develop. Fingers crossed all around.

[Bungle]

I dunno who Brian Glanville is?? But Liam Brady would be as familiar with him as anybody, and when Barrett scored for us against Finland, and everyone was raving about is potential, Brady contribution was significan by what he didn't say. From then on I never believed Barret was gonna make it.

brian glanville is a very famous english writer (think he writes in the sunday times and world soccer now). some would say he's past it, as he does tend to have a bit of the "things were better in my day" attitude.

I think Brady is the kind of guy who doesn't like to talk young players up and in fairness rightfully so.

At the time, i was convinced that if barrett didn't make it big for arsenal, he would at least be a very decent international play for us.

[Bungle]

It was never going to happen. I used to like Brian Glanville. Not so keen on him now though. And to say he was the most talented player in Britain is funny. He wasn't the most talented within his age group in nationally. still it was a shame he didn't stay in the top leagues. He was a nice lad growing up.

there were some excellent taents in that u16 irish team, but I would say only Andy Reid had Barret's technical ability.

[Kingdom]

I know I played with/against a lot of them!

[cheifo]

Right decision IMO.He will be moving up a level at a young age and will get experience of playing in big stadiums like Parkhead and Ibrox.Next year he will only be 18 and can then consider moving to a higher level.

[Pike B]

Rubbish!!! If your good enough your old enough. If Barcelona or Liverpool come calling you go. This is all a bunch of cliched b.s.....

[brine3]

It's probably good for him at that age to stay near his family. Good decision, it will help keep him grounded.

[Plastic Paddy]

Rubbish!!! If your good enough your old enough. If Barcelona or Liverpool come calling you go. This is all a bunch of cliched b.s.....

Were you being intentionally ironic when adding your last sentence? :confused: ;)

:ball: PP

[jebus]

Very commendable of the guy to stay at Hamilton to help out, but personally I think he'd develop more as a player playing with Liverpool or Barca reserves. At Liverpool for example he'd be learning from a quality midfield that boasts one of the finest passers of the ball in the game (Alonso), a non nonsense midfield general (Mascherano), and a glory hogger (Gerrard), whilst also working with better coaches than Hamilton can offer. If in January he felt he needed a few first team games I'm sure Liverpool would send him down to the Championship on loan if they felt it was in his best interests.

Ideally Arsene Wenger would take him under his wing though

[Wangball]

I think he'd be better off with a move to Barca, especially when you take a look at their Squad and see how many of their first team players are graduates of their academy, the same can't really be said of Liverpool, Chelsea or even United anymore, as a Celtic supporter it pains me to say it but a move to Celtic probably wouldn't be the greatest idea either especially when one considers the grief McGeady got for declaring for us instead of Scotland

[boovidge]

a move to Celtic probably wouldn't be the greatest idea either especially when one considers the grief McGeady got for declaring for us instead of Scotland

yep. Bigotry and mediocre football is not a good mix. If he goes to Spain and hes a success some more Irish players may will follow him to continental Europe.

I wonder how much abuse he'll get this coming season? He's got alot of publicity recently so hes bound to get some of the McGeady treatment. I almost feel sorry for Scottish fans though. Two of the potentially brightest talents to come from Scotland for years and theyre both Irish :)

[stojkovic]

I'd like to see some of our players go to La Liga instead of the Prem. Think McGeady should and thought Duffer should have instead of going to Newcastle's retirement home.

I'd also like to see players not drop down to the Second Division (whatever its called) but to go to France or Holland or even Germany. Look at the likes of Croatia, Czech Rep., Sweden etc. They have one or two stars but the rest all play in these leagues. Better to get regular football at a decent level than none at all at a high level.

Brady, Aldridge, Johnny Byrne, Moran, McCarthy, Cascarino, Stapleton all sampled life on the continent.

[Pike B]

Were you being intentionally ironic when adding your last sentence? :confused: ;)

:ball: PP
Good spot..
And yes.

[SilkCut]

I'm a Liverpool fan and if this kid is as good as is being made out then he should steer well clear of us. We have signed a s#*tload of young players only to see them shipped out within a year or two. Mark Gonzalez kicked arse in Spain got only one season with us, Leto looks to be on his way out, Diarra got a year now Everton are gonna pay 8m to Bordeaux for him, Hobbs is unsure of his future at 19!!, Insua wont be trusted with a starting spot, Plessis is gonna struggle with the midfield players ahead of him in the pecking order. The days of a top 4 club giving a youngster a chance are as good as gone. At least in Spain or Italy they give their kids a chance hence their teams are packed with young talent. James lad learn a language and get yourself off to the continent. If he is good enough some Russian or American will blow 30 odd million on him when he hits his mid 20's!!!!

[jmurphyc]

I'm a Liverpool fan and if this kid is as good as is being made out then he should steer well clear of us. We have signed a s#*tload of young players only to see them shipped out within a year or two. Mark Gonzalez kicked arse in Spain got only one season with us, Leto looks to be on his way out, Diarra got a year now Everton are gonna pay 8m to Bordeaux for him, Hobbs is unsure of his future at 19!!, Insua wont be trusted with a starting spot, Plessis is gonna struggle with the midfield players ahead of him in the pecking order. The days of a top 4 club giving a youngster a chance are as good as gone. At least in Spain or Italy they give their kids a chance hence their teams are packed with young talent. James lad learn a language and get yourself off to the continent. If he is good enough some Russian or American will blow 30 odd million on him when he hits his mid 20's!!!!

Whilst I do think it's too early for McCarthy to move, and that a move to one of the "big 4" may be counter-productive, the assessment of some of those players isn't fair. Leto has a work permit problem and is unable to play, and as for the rest currently not in the team, Benitez has only had a few years to overhaul the youth set up and his plans are only coming to fruition now. It takes time for them to get through and the sad fact is that most don't make it. There's the same problems at every other club. Besides, the reserve team at Liverpool is almost exclusively made up of under 20s, and both the reserves and the under 18 side has won the league this season, as well as the youth team winning the FA Cup in the two previous seasons.

That said, I understand your point and I would personally prefer it if he stayed at Hamilton for another year and then a move to the continent may well help him learn a lot of things that Irish youngsters don't get to learn in England.

[irishultra]

As Luka Modric said ''playing in the Bosnian league meant I could play in any other league in the world.''

This is what the SPL will do for McCarthy and will really test him as a player. This is a much better root for him. Better than Barcelona. Better than Liverpool. Better than Arsenal.

I would strongly suggest McCarthy(like Modric) takes small steps rather than big huge massive ones. The interest from big clubs shows he is highly sought after.

Modric will be just 23 by the time he lines out for Spurs next season. Now many would suggest Modric is too good for Spurs, but he knows what he's doing. From my understand if these clubs are so intent on getting McCarthy he at least should emulate Modric's ability.

This means that from the time Modric signed for Zagreb(a big move in some respects certainly for a young Croatian guy) it has taken 6 years for his talent to be actually invested in. From what I have seen of him the Croatian League hasn't been detrimnetle to his development, and in fact has probably helped him grow as a player. SPL or Croatian League? I'd say pretty much the same level.

The only move I would suggest for McCarthy in the next two years is Celtic.(or if Rangers signed him, which they won't) He should plan on leaving Scotland at about 21.

Does anyone see him making any of the Irish Squads in the next few years? If we qualify he will be 20(I think) would he be in the squad?

[tommy_c12000]

He certainly won't be up to international standard for another couple of years but I don't see any harm in introducing the youngster into the international set-up ASAP via training camps (ie Portugal)...for 2 reasons. -Firstly training with the likes of Keane, Duff, McGeady and co can only serve to improve you as a player
-Secondly I am still not fully convinced that he will be willing to represent our senior team. He has pulled out of numerous squads recently (including the current Malaysia tourament where he preferred to go on hols instead) which doesn't look that promising. My big fear is that if George Burley contacted him in the morning and offered him the chance to go straight into the Scotland senior squad, I have no doubt that he would give that serious consideration.

Not sure if he'll turn out to be the player everyone hopes he will be. He wasn't even Hamiltons best midfielder this season with supporters rating 21 yr old James McCarthur a lot higher.

[irishultra]

He certainly won't be up to international standard for another couple of years but I don't see any harm in introducing the youngster into the international set-up ASAP via training camps (ie Portugal)...for 2 reasons. -Firstly training with the likes of Keane, Duff, McGeady and co can only serve to improve you as a player
-Secondly I am still not fully convinced that he will be willing to represent our senior team. He has pulled out of numerous squads recently (including the current Malaysia tourament where he preferred to go on hols instead) which doesn't look that promising. My big fear is that if George Burley contacted him in the morning and offered him the chance to go straight into the Scotland senior squad, I have no doubt that he would give that serious consideration.

Not sure if he'll turn out to be the player everyone hopes he will be. He wasn't even Hamiltons best midfielder this season with supporters rating 21 yr old James McCarthur a lot higher.

Yeah but I don't think its his performances exactly that have the scouts flocking. They obviously see genius in him. He doesn't seem to have the flair of Messi or anything, but has that special something. Can anybody tell me what Scholes was doing at 18?

He scored twice against the Germans in a friendly at his age level, I know this is only minor, but it shows he is dominant when played with people of his own age even if they are the cream of a massive football nation.


I honestly don't believe there is a chance he will opt for Scotland. He doesn't seem like one to rush in for the sake of it. I doubt he would jump at the chance of playing for Scotland because he knows he's not ready.


Edit-Damn he's still only 17. Not 18 until November. He's also got a much better goal scoring rate than his McCarthur guy.

[tetsujin1979]

I honestly don't believe there is a chance he will opt for Scotland. He doesn't seem like one to rush in for the sake of it. I doubt he would jump at the chance of playing for Scotland because he knows he's not ready.
If the stories about why he declared for Ireland are true, there's no possible way I could see him changing allegiances

[Razors left peg]

He certainly won't be up to international standard for another couple of years but I don't see any harm in introducing the youngster into the international set-up ASAP via training camps (ie Portugal)...for 2 reasons. -Firstly training with the likes of Keane, Duff, McGeady and co can only serve to improve you as a player
-Secondly I am still not fully convinced that he will be willing to represent our senior team. He has pulled out of numerous squads recently (including the current Malaysia tourament where he preferred to go on hols instead) which doesn't look that promising. My big fear is that if George Burley contacted him in the morning and offered him the chance to go straight into the Scotland senior squad, I have no doubt that he would give that serious consideration.

Not sure if he'll turn out to be the player everyone hopes he will be. He wasn't even Hamiltons best midfielder this season with supporters rating 21 yr old James McCarthur a lot higher.


The lad has said on countless occasions that he is fully committed to playing for Ireland and will not be switching to Scotland.And as for not going to Malaysia, well as a 17 year old he has played a serious amount of football this season for club and country and maybe a break would be alot better for him than a meaningless tournament under a manager that few players seem to have alot of respect for(if their performances on the pitch are anything to go by anyway).

[tommy_c12000]

I believe he will play for Ireland at this stage but I'm just still a small bit worried considering his decision stems from the ignorance of the Scottish underage managers who didn't believe he was good enough to play the the Scottish youths at the time.
(not because of his it was the dying wish of his grandfather)

And yes I know hes just turning 18 in November but if Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and the premiership big 4 are chasing you and the Irish press regularly refer to you as "the Irish wonderkid"......you would expect that even at the tender age of 17 that you would be the main man in the Hamilton Accies midfield in the dizzy heights of the Scottish first division. And other youngsters like McArthur and McDonald (Dundee) wouldn't be rated higher than you by most 1st division observers

[jmurphyc]

I believe he will play for Ireland at this stage but I'm just still a small bit worried considering his decision stems from the ignorance of the Scottish underage managers who didn't believe he was good enough to play the the Scottish youths at the time.
(not because of his it was the dying wish of his grandfather)


It's been widely reported on this site that it was down to the dying wish of his grandfather. Do you know him or have any sources that suggest otherwise out of interest? I have yet to hear anything that suggests that it's not true.

[tommy_c12000]

His club manager Billy Reid gave out yards a 1yr and a half ago when McCarthy first burst on the scene because the Scottish under age manager wouldn't pick him. The manager in question (can't recall his name)went out of his way to iterate that he felt McCarthy wasnt good enough for the Scottish squad (he filled it with players from big clubs ie Rangers, Celtic, Hearts,etc).............then Ireland stepped in and invited him into their underage set-up.....an offer McCarthy gladly accepted. It caused war in the Scottish underage circles because they were still bitter at missing out on McGeady. Im sure he discussed playing with Ireland with his grandfather on occasion but I've read interviews with McCarthy where he has denied a "dying wish" was the motivation behind his decision to play for Ireland

[irishultra]

His club manager Billy Reid gave out yards a 1yr and a half ago when McCarthy first burst on the scene because the Scottish under age manager wouldn't pick him. The manager in question (can't recall his name)went out of his way to iterate that he felt McCarthy wasnt good enough for the Scottish squad (he filled it with players from big clubs ie Rangers, Celtic, Hearts,etc).............then Ireland stepped in and invited him into their underage set-up.....an offer McCarthy gladly accepted. It caused war in the Scottish underage circles because they were still bitter at missing out on McGeady. Im sure he discussed playing with Ireland with his grandfather on occasion but I've read interviews with McCarthy where he has denied a "dying wish" was the motivation behind his decision to play for Ireland

You seem to know what your on about, but there is nothing to suggest he would accept Scotlands call, or even if he did in the long term if he did want to play for Ireland.

Your saying that people have rated other players in Scottish League one, but I've equally heard people saying to go and check this McCarthy kid out. Also why have Liverpool for example called down McCarthy and not someone else off Hamilton? They see something in him. He might not take all the headlines at this time. Maby at this time in his development it would be like comparing Scholes to Ronaldo. Maby the footballing public is biased because he opted for Ireland.

[tommy_c12000]

To be honest Irishultra.........I think that he won't detract from Ireland at this stage.........but I wont be fully satisfied until hes lining up with the senior team.

Also I hope that all these scouts are right and there is sumting special about young McCarthy because we cud certainly do with sumone of his calibre.

I just don't want to be getting carried away with a 17yr old that has only played a season and a half in the Scottish 1st division

[Colbert Report]

Whatever became of young Gibson from Manchester United?

[Colbert Report]

According to the ever reliable wikipedia article on McCarthy, he signed a three year deal with Hamilton on May 17 2008. Can anyone confirm this? Surely this must be a mistake, Liverpool and Chelsea would be able to pay him more in a week than he'd get off Hamilton in a lifetime.

[Plastic Paddy]

He has definitely signed a new extended deal with Hamilton until 2011 according to the club's website.

:ball: PP

[portland]

The facts are that no club has made on offer to buy McCarthy, if he was really as good as people are claiming - he would not be playing for Hamilton - as celtic or rangers would have bought him by now like they do with any good young player playing outside the old firm - as for talk of barcelona well thats just tabloid talk.

[tetsujin1979]

Whatever became of young Gibson from Manchester United?
Spent last season on loan at Wolves.

[tetsujin1979]

The facts are that no club has made on offer to buy McCarthy, if he was really as good as people are claiming - he would not be playing for Hamilton - as celtic or rangers would have bought him by now like they do with any good young player playing outside the old firm - as for talk of barcelona well thats just tabloid talk.
Hardly "tabloid talk", one quick google of "James McCarthy" +Barcelona throws us these articles, amongst others
From the times: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article2774683.ece

The teenager, coveted by Liverpool and Celtic, has been watched by Barcelona for the past year as he has become the outstanding young talent in Scotland
From http://forum.fcbarcelonaweb.co.uk/lofiversion/index.php?t6615.html

The second player is two years older and comes from closer to Catalunya, although from the less-fished footballing waters of Scotland. Manchester United, Liverpool, Bolton, Blackburn, Deportivo de la Coruña and Barcelona are all following an attacking midfielder by the name of James McCarthy who plays for Scottish second division outfit Hamilton.

[portland]

And Have Barcelona mad a bid for him - NO - so its paper talk - dont you think that a small cash strapped club like hamilton would accept any decent bid for a player

Sean Scannell is the same age as McCarthy hes been brought into the Irish Squad - McCarthy hasnt i think theres a reason for it - hes not some new Genius as some a making out.

[livehead1]

And Have Barcelona mad a bid for him - NO - so its paper talk - dont you think that a small cash strapped club like hamilton would accept any decent bid for a player

Sean Scannell is the same age as McCarthy hes been brought into the Irish Squad - McCarthy hasnt i think theres a reason for it - hes not some new Genius as some a making out.

How come you seem to know so very much?

[portland]

How come you seem to know so very much?


What ? Just stating some obvious points -

Hamilton havent had any serious bids for McCarthy

Sean Scannell is in the irish squad and is the same age

[livehead1]

And Have Barcelona mad a bid for him - NO - so its paper talk - dont you think that a small cash strapped club like hamilton would accept any decent bid for a player

Sean Scannell is the same age as McCarthy hes been brought into the Irish Squad - McCarthy hasnt i think theres a reason for it - hes not some new Genius as some a making out.

A) You don't know who and who hasn't made a bid for him. If they so wish they could have gone straight to the player before he reached the age of 17, without even contacting the club. The could have signed him that way and then the fee decided by tribunal. He may have chosen to stay; you or I don't know, but only one of us professes to.

B) Do you really believe Scannell has a chance of playing at the weekend because of his current form? If you do then you're kidding yourself, I feel along with many others that they want to 'tie him to the cause'.

C) Finally, I don't think you are in a position to say whether McCarthy is a genius or not. I don't think many people here have described him as a 'genius.' What I would say however, is that it appears clear that he has exceptional talent for his age.

So back to my original question, how do you know so very much?

[portland]

A1) i know that hes still playing for Hamilton - and hasnt gone to Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Celtic or Rangers - this despite all these clubs being "interested" in him for the past 3 years

B1) No i dont think Scannell will play - but the facts are that hes been promoted to the First Team Squad - McCarthy Hasnt - as for your quote of "tie him to the Cause" well why wasnt McCarthy brought in for the "cause" if he was so good dont you think they would bring him to the senior squad

C1) People have quoted that McCarthy is a genius / prodigy - on forums and in newspaper reports - and were has he shown this exceptional talent - have you actually seen the guy play - i have and i wouldnt describe it as exceptional.........

So Why hasent James McCarthy been brought into the senior Squad - if you think he is such a good player ?

[Razors left peg]

What ? Just stating some obvious points -

Hamilton havent had any serious bids for McCarthy

Sean Scannell is in the irish squad and is the same age

The is no disputing the fact that every week he plays there are scouts from all around europe watching him and thats were the Barcelona link comes from, not tabloid speculation.Even his own manager said that when Sky Sports News did a feature on him a few months ago.
As for serious bids for him, didnt Liverpool make him a firm offer that he turned down and thats just one that we know about.

[tommy_c12000]

The is no disputing the fact that every week he plays there are scouts from all around europe watching him and thats were the Barcelona link comes from, not tabloid speculation.Even his own manager said that when Sky Sports News did a feature on him a few months ago.
As for serious bids for him, didnt Liverpool make him a firm offer that he turned down and thats just one that we know about.

Your dead right there. Hamilton rejected a FIRM bid from Liverpool. Benitez was present at a training game where McCarthy was playing in......on trial. He scored an absolute screamer on Jerzy Dudek and apparently Benitez told the powers to be at Liverpool to sign the player at all costs.
For the sceptics among you (IE PORTLAND) heres the evidence

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hamilton_academical/6638285.stm

[tommy_c12000]

Apologies the link isn't in blue so that u can just click on it but I'm afraid I'm severely technologically impaired.

Interesting point to note is that his agent Bill McMurdo has extensive contacts in Spain......this is where all the apparent interest from Barcelona and Deportivo comes from........whether there is any substance there is an entirely different matter

[SilkCut]

If the interest in him is genuine then I reckon he has a fairly simple choice - another year or 2 in a team that is gonna struggle in the SPL where he will only learn how to avoid getting kicked exept for the odd game against McGeady, Nakamura, Novo, Darcheville and the other 1 or 2 very good players in the SPL v's a year or 2 in (hopefully) a La Liga reserve side training and learning every day from the likes of Ronaldinho, Messi, Eto, Deco, Dos Santos, Bojan, Henry, Puyol the list goes on.. - Where is a 17 year old gonna learn and develop more??? Have any of you seen Scottish league 1 football?? If he isnt hard enough now he never will be. No offence to SPL fans there are some good players there but there are absolutely no world class players for him to learn from which is what he needs or else he will go the same way as so many other promising youngsters with more loyalty than ambition.

[tommy_c12000]

If the interest in him is genuine then I reckon he has a fairly simple choice - another year or 2 in a team that is gonna struggle in the SPL where he will only learn how to avoid getting kicked exept for the odd game against McGeady, Nakamura, Novo, Darcheville and the other 1 or 2 very good players in the SPL v's a year or 2 in (hopefully) a La Liga reserve side training and learning every day from the likes of Ronaldinho, Messi, Eto, Deco, Dos Santos, Bojan, Henry, Puyol the list goes on.. - Where is a 17 year old gonna learn and develop more??? Have any of you seen Scottish league 1 football?? If he isnt hard enough now he never will be. No offence to SPL fans there are some good players there but there are absolutely no world class players for him to learn from which is what he needs or else he will go the same way as so many other promising youngsters with more loyalty than ambition.

Don't think it's quite a simple decision as that. At 17 if he decides to join a really big club he runs the risk of just becoming another rat in the rat race of the football academy. Fair enuf he would benefit from playing with better players and learning from top class coaches but with such a fine line between making it and being a failure at these cut-throat top clubs.........he cud just as easy fall by the wayside as he wud be to make it to the top......probably a better chance of falling by the wayside.

My ideal scenario would be for a big club to buy him now but to loan him back to Hamilton for next season. The big club in question could always give him special coaching throughout the yr and bring him back for training matches at their club during international breaks, Scottish Cup breaks, etc......so he will be getting top class tutelage. At the end of next season he would have a solid season and a half of SPL1 and a solid season of SPL experience under his belt. We all agree that there is no substitute for first team football so this would place him at a considerable advantage to any other similar youngster at the big club come the 2009 season. Agreed that the SPL is hardly the ideal learning environment for a gifted youngster like McCarthy but that would be my ideal scenario anyway.

There was talk that sumting like that wud happen but hes after signing an extension to his existing contract recently which commits him to Hamilton for another 3 yrs.

[micls]

There was talk that sumting like that wud happen but hes after signing an extension to his existing contract recently which commits him to Hamilton for another 3 yrs.

I wouldn't rule it out yet. Maybe eh just wants the club that gave him his chance and developed him getting proper money for him

[SilkCut]

[quote=tommy_c12000;948997]Don't think it's quite a simple decision as that. At 17 if he decides to join a really big club he runs the risk of just becoming another rat in the rat race of the football academy. Fair enuf he would benefit from playing with better players and learning from top class coaches but with such a fine line between making it and being a failure at these cut-throat top clubs.........he cud just as easy fall by the wayside as he wud be to make it to the top......probably a better chance of falling by the wayside.
quote]

No disrespect Tommy but this is exactly the kind of thinking that could ruin his progression. He needs to show some ambition and take his chances when they come. He could just as easily fall by the wayside by stagnating in the SPL. If he was to join a big club even if he did fail there the chances are he would still be able to return to the SPL or Championship. At the very worst he would discover just what his level is. Look at Ronnie O'Brien he went to Juve and discovered his level (MLS) what did he lose by taking a chance. I do like your loan idea but if he was to be loaned out I think it would be better for him to go to a bigger club than Hamilton. He needs to get out of his comfort zone and challenge himself. Terrifying for a 17 year old but it is the only way he will grow. Few players go to a club like Barcelona, Liverpool or Man Utd. and fall completely out of football even if they fail at that particular club.

[Razors left peg]

James McCarthy has picked up the Scottish First Division Young Player of the Year Award

http://www.hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk/hamilton-lanarkshire-sport/lanarkshire-football/2008/06/05/reid-s-delight-as-accies-collect-more-silverware-51525-21024094/


Cant help but compare his situation to that of Aaron Ramsey,both are a similar age.Ramsey looks like he is on his way to the Premiership while McCarthy looks like he is going to stay where he is.Ramsey has already made his full Welsh debut while McCarthy is yet to get a cap for our U21s. Admitidly Wales have a very very poor pool of players to choose from and McCarthys failure to get an U21 cap is probably more to do with Don Givens being an idiot as usual, but maybe are we hyping him up too much just because names like Barcelona have had a look at him

[irishultra]

So it appears some of the crap about people saying he's not actually done that much is bull****.

[SilkCut]

James McCarthy has picked up the Scottish First Division Young Player of the Year Award

http://www.hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk/hamilton-lanarkshire-sport/lanarkshire-football/2008/06/05/reid-s-delight-as-accies-collect-more-silverware-51525-21024094/


Cant help but compare his situation to that of Aaron Ramsey,both are a similar age.Ramsey looks like he is on his way to the Premiership while McCarthy looks like he is going to stay where he is.Ramsey has already made his full Welsh debut while McCarthy is yet to get a cap for our U21s. Admitidly Wales have a very very poor pool of players to choose from and McCarthys failure to get an U21 cap is probably more to do with Don Givens being an idiot as usual, but maybe are we hyping him up too much just because names like Barcelona have had a look at him

Ramsey is playing in a much tougher league than McCarthy and just played in an FA cup final which probably has more to do with him playing for Wales and looking like going to the premiership than anything else. I saw him in the cup final and it was obvious he is very very talented. He proved himself in the championship so therefore is not as big a gamble as McCarthy would be. I would be very surprised if McCarthy does not get a call up next season if he performs well in the SPL (Still think he needs to leave Hamilton) and then the firm offers will follow. Fletcher at Hibs is a good example, apparently Real Madrid have been watching him for some time and now that he has proved himself to be a good SPL player it looks like he is on his way to Spain!!
All that said though, Givens must have been drunk not to at least give him a run in the 21's. I think he takes them too seriously, countries like ourselves should not worry about u21 comps too much we should use them as a testing area before fast tracking those good enough to the seniors. We will never have the pools of talent that England, Italy, France etc.. have so we need to filter our best players through as quickly as possible and not let them stagnate in the underage teams.

[jmurphyc]

All that said though, Givens must have been drunk not to at least give him a run in the 21's. I think he takes them too seriously, countries like ourselves should not worry about u21 comps too much we should use them as a testing area before fast tracking those good enough to the seniors.

:eek: If that's the case I'd hate to see what our record would be like if he didn't take them seriously.

[Scooby Doo]

Palermo claim they are ready with a bid for 17-year-old Hamilton Accies midfielder James McCarthy. (Daily Record)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/7449848.stm

[Scooby Doo]

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football-news/scottish-football/spl-football/celtic-fc/2008/06/12/serie-a-double-swoop-86908-20604154/

better link there

[boovidge]

i'd love to see McCarthy playing in Italy!