James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

[Wexford Delboy]

had a good game for the accies the other night after coming off the bench

[Mento]

Interview with McCarthy on page 8 and 9 in latest YBIG
http://www.ybig.ie/fanzine.asp?sectionId=4

[as_i_say]

good read that fanzine. particularly enjoyed the stephen manchester bit!! would still have the little fcuker back though :(

[superfrank]

He grabbed the winner for them today away to Aberdeen.

[co. down green]

Hamilton boss Billy Reid (http://www.sportinglife.com/football/scottishpremier/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/09/13/SOCCER_Aberdeen_Quotes.html&TEAMHD=scotspremiership) is in no doubts about McCarthy's future.

Reid said: "The first 10 minutes of the game we never started. Aberdeen came out the traps and got the goal and I thought 'here we go'.

"But we made a change, young James McCarthy came on for Tony Stevenson, and I thought the game changed on that substitution.

"Young James played for the Republic on Tuesday and we decided to rest him. But he came on and had an influence on the game and popped up with the winner.

"He will mature into a fantastic football player, he is doing that already.

"People forget he is still 17 so my job is to ensure he doesn't face burn-out. Once that happens there is no way back for him in the season.

"He does a lot for a 17-year-old and he handles that very well. He wants to play every game but he understands how we deal with him."

Although Reid sounds like he would still like him to play for Scotland (http://www.stv.tv/sport/football/euro2008/Reid__McCarthy_a_loss_to_Scotland_132690)

[Fergie's Son]

If he keeps getting his game in the SPL then play him against Poland in November. Let's cap him and move on.

[kingdomkerry]

If he keeps getting his game in the SPL then play him against Poland in November. Let's cap him and move on.

Agreed.

[geysir]

According to the revised text by FIFA it looks very much like Jamie would have to be capped in an official competition at senior level (for us that means Euro and WC qualifiers), in order to be tied to us before the age of 21.

The new text.
An eligible player can declare for another Association if
'He has not played a match
(either in full or in part) in an
official competition at “A”
international level for his current
Association',


It use to read
if
'He has not played a match
(either in full or in part) at “A”
international level for his current
Association',

[Wangball]

http://tribalfootball.com/?q=content/scotland-make-play-hamilton-whiz-mccarthy

Just seen this, his remarks at the end are encouraging to say the least!

[Royal rover]

went to celticv hamilton game on saturday - i was watched this guy very closely - overall his performance wasn't bad - he reminds me of a young steven gerrard - very energetic with a nice touch - and attempted to be involved in the build up play as much as posible - covers back as well - it's difficult playing with a side like hamilton - i think most teams in the EL would beat them , top 4 anyway , i think he's definetly one for the future

[Hibernian]

If he keeps getting his game in the SPL then play him against Poland in November. Let's cap him and move on.

Yes we should call him up now for Poalnd game (thats if they have an FA) before he thinks about changing, although dont think he will myself but better to be safe as they say

[Drumcondra 69er]

http://tribalfootball.com/?q=content/scotland-make-play-hamilton-whiz-mccarthy

Just seen this, his remarks at the end are encouraging to say the least!

Rossy Forsyth mentions Burley moving for him in the indo today to boot, really think we should cap him and be done with it.

'Hamilton are a decent side who fully deserved their promotion from the First Division last season and their eager crop of youngsters -- James McCarthy is just 17, for example -- look likely to prosper in years to come.

Swap

Although McCarthy is Scottish he can play for the Republic of Ireland as his grandfather is from Donegal. But as long as the player is under 21 he can swap allegiance and George Burley, the Scottish manager, is hoping to persuade him to do just that.'


http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/vennegoor-injury-mars-celtics-stroll-1490610.html

[Wheels]

I thought it had to be a competitive game nowadays to tie a player down?

But I don't think we need to worry about capping him asap... if I were him I'd be put off by us wanting to just give him one cap now and maybe never play him again just so he can't change his mind.

He's told us (and Scotland) that he won't be changing his mind. Trust him. That will only make him more happy to commit when the time is right... which I don't think is too far off in any case.

[Torn-Ado]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/1006/mccarthyj.html

Could he be lining up in navy blue yet?

[finnpark]

He is not much good anyway. hes equivalent to deegan of Bohs I would say. Neither will ever be regular senior Internationals.

[greendeiseboy]

Judging by reports and statements coming from Scotland he's in talks about allegiance switches - if he's adamant he wants to play for us why is he in talks with the Scottish FA

I'm seriously worried by this development

[Wangball]

He is not much good anyway. hes equivalent to deegan of Bohs I would say. Neither will ever be regular senior Internationals.

Are you on glue??

[Newryrep]

If he wants to play for us and is eligble - he can play if and when he is picked,

If he doesnt want to play for us nobody is forcing him - i dont agree with giving him a cap at senior level just to tie him to us but primarily just to prevent somebody else (Scotland) having him.

If he sees Ireland as his country then there is nothing to worry about.

[Fergie's Son]

I'm a little torn to be honest. I want to tie him down to Ireland but I agree, what's the point of getting someone who really isn't sure for whom he wants to play for? Maybe just let things sit, continue to call him up for the under 21's and then, if he is good enough, call him up for a full cap. If he's not interested then we move on.

[third policeman]

I'm a little torn to be honest. I want to tie him down to Ireland but I agree, what's the point of getting someone who really isn't sure for whom he wants to play for? Maybe just let things sit, continue to call him up for the under 21's and then, if he is good enough, call him up for a full cap. If he's not interested then we move on.


Sounds to me like he is committed, but that commitment might dissipate if he is subject to the baleful influence of Don Givens for any extended period. He is by all accounts one of the outstanding performers in the SPL (admittedly not amongst the greatest leagues in the world), if he is good enough to play international football we should pick him, and not be deterred by his age. If he is left to fester in under-age teams whilst obviously inferior players make the full squad, he may be just tempted to change his mind.

[irishultra]

There is too many people ahead of him to be included now.

[dr_peepee]

If his hearts not in it let him go... WE cap him now and he's not fully committed we could wind up with another Steven Ireland.

Saying that the FAI should be in regular contact... Highlight the fact that a)they didn't rush to cap him needlessly out of some misplaced attempt to trap him because B) they are interested in HIM and what's best for HIM, keeping pressure of HIM, encouraging HIS development at the rate that's best for HIM etc etc.... (You get the drift)

[Razors left peg]

Are you on glue??

That was coming from the same guy that keeps saying that Daryl Murphy is better than Robbie Keane... hes just trying to wind people up and get a reaction

[Wheels]

Having thought about it there could be some merit in giving him the cap... if he really is committed to us then all this Scotland talk will be an unwelcome distraction for him. Capping him would end that and maybe take some pressure OFF him?

[musicinmouth]

The Scottish Sun (http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article1713464.ece) interview in full:

The Hamilton starlet has come under fire from critics who believe he should have pledged his future to his own country.
But he insists that simply wasn’t an option — because no one from the SFA bothered to ask.
McCarthy, 17, won his first Under-21 cap for the Irish in a 2-2 draw in Portugal last week.
But McCarthy has admitted he WOULD have chosen the dark blue of Scotland over the green of Ireland if he’d had the option.
He said: “I know people have been giving me stick and they’ll probably continue to do so but that’s not my problem.
“The fact is if Scotland had asked me to play first I would have said ‘yes’.
“They didn’t though, Ireland did and I don’t regret that decision for a minute.
“Even if Scotland had come in afterwards I would probably have had a major dilemma on my hands but it was never a decision I had to make.
“Fans can give me stick if they want but you can’t choose to play for a country if the option isn’t there.”
Under FIFA rules a player has one chance to change his mind over which country to play for before turning 21.
Scotland Under-21 boss Billy Stark has already made moves to persuade McCarthy to switch sides.
But the Accies kid — who rubbished claims he only chose Ireland to please his Donegal-born late grandad Paddy — insists there is no way he will perform a U-turn.
He said: “I won’t be changing my mind. I’ve been part of the Republic set up for too long now and I’m proud to be part of it.
“I loved the experience with the Under-21s and it was brilliant to get my first cap.
“People think I chose to play for the Republic because my granda asked me to.
“It wasn’t his last wish, like some people think. He always said he would have loved to see me play for Ireland but that’s not the reason I made my decision.
“The chance came for an international cap and I decided to go for it because Scotland never asked me.
“There was never any indication they were going to either.
“I know I’m still young but I wanted international experience and it meant a lot for me to get it with Ireland.”
McCarthy is still buzzing from the sublime volley that sealed a 2-1 win for Accies at Aberdeen last week — and he’s hoping there’s more to come from him and Accies.
He added: “I was just glad to finally get off the mark. I really need to add more goals to my game and hopefully it will be the first of many. Scoring a goal in the SPL feels better than scoring a goal in the First Division. It was brilliant.

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“It’s been disappointing when we lose but the boys are learning more about themselves in defeat.
“The boss, Billy Reid, always told us it would come, it was all about how we handled it.
“But we’ve shown we can come back from defeats by going to places like Aberdeen and winning.
“The SPL’s definitely a big step for us all. It’s sharper and quicker but I think we’re handling it pretty well so far.”
New Hamilton defender Martin Canning faces up to his old side Hibs today desperate to shut up the Easter Road text pests.
Canning, who quit Hibs for Accies on transfer deadline day, said: “I have a lot of good friends at Hibs but, of course, for 90 minutes it won’t be so friendly because we all want to win the game.
“There’s been a few text messages and phone calls as there always is when you come up against an old club.
“I have been in touch with David van Zanten a lot because we used to travel through together and I have also had a few texts from Chris Hogg.
“It would be great to get the points in this game and have back-to-back wins after we beat Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
“I signed at Hamilton until the end of the season and have been very impressed with the set up, but more importantly the players.
“They’ve a tremendous attitude and belief in each other.The players here who have impressed me are the two Jameses, McCarthy and McArthur, plus Brian Easton.“
Hamilton have no new injury worries and boss Billy Reid has signed Australian right-back Trent McClenahan, who was at Hereford for the past two years.

[dr_peepee]

Having thought about it there could be some merit in giving him the cap... if he really is committed to us then all this Scotland talk will be an unwelcome distraction for him. Capping him would end that and maybe take some pressure OFF him?

Good point... forgot about that side of it.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Pulled out of the Under 21 squad by his club due to a 'thigh strain'. Doesn't bode well in my opinion. He's non comittal in his quote as well. Yet in the Indo Givens says he's still expecting him over and says he'll talk to him then. Get on the phone to him you half wit!!

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/scotland/2008/10/07/scotland-target-james-mccarthy-pulls-out-of-ireland-u21-squad-86908-20781008/

HAMILTON starlet James McCarthy has been pulled out of the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for next week's friendly against Lithuania because of injury.

The midfielder's withdrawal comes in the wake of reports that George Burley wants him to pledge his international future to Scotland.

The 17-year-old yesterday refused to be drawn on a weekend story that the national coach has ordered his backroom staff to pull out all the stops in a bid to switch his allegiance.

McCarthy was born in Glasgow but initially overlooked by the SFA and then capped by the Republic thanks to a grandfather from Donegal, the late Paddy Coyle.

He has represented the Irish up to under-21 level but rules state that as he has not yet received a full cap he can switch allegiances to the country of his birth up until the age of 21.

The Irish FA are said to be confident McCarthy will remain their player and it has been suggested he is likely to stick with the Republic.

But his withdrawal from the Republic's Under-21 squad to face Lithuania next Tuesday because of a thigh strain will do nothing to quell the speculation over his international future.

But McCarthy remained tight-lipped yesterday. He said: "I was supposed to be away with Ireland for a friendly but the gaffer has pulled me out because of a slight thigh strain.

"I don't want to speak about the stories about Scotland because I haven't spoken to the gaffer about it yet."

[therock67]

Sounds to me like he is committed, but that commitment might dissipate if he is subject to the baleful influence of Don Givens for any extended period. He is by all accounts one of the outstanding performers in the SPL (admittedly not amongst the greatest leagues in the world), if he is good enough to play international football we should pick him, and not be deterred by his age. If he is left to fester in under-age teams whilst obviously inferior players make the full squad, he may be just tempted to change his mind.

I hope he does stick with Ireland but he's a long, long way from being "one of the outstanding performers in the SPL." He has about 10 appearances in the league and he hasn't set it alight. He's a kid though and has alot going for him.

[dr_peepee]

"I don't want to speak about the stories about Scotland because I haven't spoken to the gaffer about it yet."

Ah... We may forget about it so!!!

[aidz1]

Only watched hamilton play on the tele twice but have been impressed on mccarthys showings in each, especially for an 18 year old. He seemed to be a 'marked man' in them two games, so obviously the opposition see him as a player with quality too.

Was well impressed that he wanted to play for Ireland and seems a good bet for the future. However, the recent developments detailed on this thread have concerned me a bit. On his withdrawal from next weeks squad, it would have been easy for him to quash all the rumours with a one-liner telling us of his intention to continue wear the green of ireland.

Having said that, i think he was interviewed for the last ybig magizine and was quite adament he will contuinue to play for ireland once selected.

[musicinmouth]

On his withdrawal from next weeks squad, it would have been easy for him to quash all the rumours with a one-liner telling us of his intention to continue wear the green of ireland.

Well in this (http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article1713464.ece) interview last week, he said:

“I won’t be changing my mind. I’ve been part of the Republic set up for too long now and I’m proud to be part of it.

[Wheels]

I hope he does stick with Ireland but he's a long, long way from being "one of the outstanding performers in the SPL." He has about 10 appearances in the league and he hasn't set it alight. He's a kid though and has alot going for him.

From what little I've seen of him he doesn't seem to be that type of player... which is why I like him. He's extremely solid and consistent, not just a player who drifts into a game to do something amazing and then disappears again.

[Wheels]

As for switching to Scotland, I can't see why he would... it's not like they can offer him more money... and he's not going to be in Scotland for much longer, so won't have to worry about getting any stick from the fans.

[Fergie's Son]

Well we shall see. He's under a lot of pressure so I hope the FAI is doing its best to remind him how important he could be to Ireland. As fans, we can supportive as both he and McGeady have gone through a lot of stick.

I'm a big admirer of McGeady for doing what he did and for resisting all efforts to change allegiences.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Well we shall see. He's under a lot of pressure so I hope the FAI is doing its best to remind him how important he could be to Ireland. As fans, we can supportive as both he and McGeady have gone through a lot of stick.

I'm a big admirer of McGeady for doing what he did and for resisting all efforts to change allegiences.

Someone should be over to have a word with him but with his immediate boss at present being Givens that would worry me.

I was listening to the radio last night and heard the story on the sports news about him switching and then heard the ad for the new Lansdowne with Houghton talking about Stuttgart and thought he'd be a good man to have a word in his ear and tell him how good atying part of out set up could be for me. Someone from the backroom staff should have a word anyway, even Mick Martin or the like.

[jbyrne]

Someone should be over to have a word with him but with his immediate boss at present being Givens that would worry me.

I was listening to the radio last night and heard the story on the sports news about him switching and then heard the ad for the new Lansdowne with Houghton talking about Stuttgart and thought he'd be a good man to have a word in his ear and tell him how good atying part of out set up could be for me. Someone from the backroom staff should have a word anyway, even Mick Martin or the like.

if he wants to play for us he shouldnt need to be persuaded. if he has to be persuaded then we dont want him . simple as

[Drumcondra 69er]

if he wants to play for us he shouldnt need to be persuaded. if he has to be persuaded then we dont want him . simple as

It's not that simple for me, he's obviously being put under a lot of pressure from his team manager and various bods in the SFA and Scottish management structure. The lads only 17, a word of encouragement would go down well in my opinion.

[gspain]

It's not that simple for me, he's obviously being put under a lot of pressure from his team manager and various bods in the SFA and Scottish management structure. The lads only 17, a word of encouragement would go down well in my opinion.

Agree completely.

[Qwerty]

The Indo is reporting that both McCarthy & Don Givens thought he was tied to us after he played a U-21 game. Shocking or maybe not that Givens is unaware of eligibility rules at international level. What a bunch of muppets we have, it's like Stan talking about bring in players over the age of 21 who had already represented England at under-age.

[irishfan86]

Just watched the Celtic game there from the other day. McCarthy didn't stick out as being exceptional, but what did impress me was the fact that he didn't look out of place, which young players often do, especially when up against a team the likes of Celtic.

These reports about him switching do not look promising at all.

[Fergie's Son]

Reading that same Indo article and Givens is quoted as saying the following:

"In that talk (ahead of the Portugal match) he was under the same impression that I was, that the U-21 match tied him down, so anything else that might go on is not in my court."

Call me silly, but I'm just a fella who posts on an Irish website and I know that playing for the under-21's is not enough to tie you to the national team. You would think, nay you would bloody well expect, that the manager of the Under 21 team would have the wherewithall to know this.

Completely unacceptable. Givens should and indeed must be removed.

[irishultra]

How can we get him removed? The man is a disaster.

[dr_peepee]

The verdict on Newstalk last night was alot more promising..

They had a scottish journalist who is apparently "In The Know" claiming that McCarthy is still very much committed to Ireland..

There was talk from the presenters that he has been known to play with Tri-Colours on his boots.

We'll see.... But Givens has to go...

[drummerboy]

Givens will be there as long as Delaney is in charge. Remember who was charged with finding the new manager but Givens. That is how highly Delaney thinks of him.

[tetsujin1979]

From today's Indo: http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/mccarthy-pledges-allegiance-to-irish-cause-despite-advances-from-scotland-1492508.html
Seems like there's little to worry about and he will stay with the Republic. Fair play to the lad, I can only imagine the abuse he's going to get in the SPL for this decision

[drinkfeckarse]

There's a fair bit on the press over here suggesting that he is indeed meeting Burley to have talks. Lets just hope he's doing it out of courtesy which may well be the case.

I agree with the general line of thougght that if he wants to play for us he will and if not he won't. He has always suggested he's very happy with us though so it would be a big turnaround in my eyes if he did switch.

Funnily enough against Celtic where most people thought of him having an average game (which is still excellent given his age and the fact they were playing Celtic away), his manager was quoted in one of the Sunday papers saying that he felt in the first 20 minutes McCarthy was overwhelmed but then he came into it a bit more. He still felt it was probably his worst performance for the Accies in a long time!!

Can only be a good sign.

[co. down green]

Good article from the Indo. earlier in the year about McCarhty's background etc..

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/face-of-the-future-1252257.html

[Paulie]

There's a fair bit on the press over here suggesting that he is indeed meeting Burley to have talks. Lets just hope he's doing it out of courtesy which may well be the case.

As far as I recall, when McGeady was close to a senior call up for us, the then Scotland Manager, Bertie Vogts, arranged a meeting with him to try and persuade him to play for Scotland. McGeady attended the meeting out of politeness but never had any real intention of changing teams. I'd say that this is a similar scenario. Also, Trappatoni said yesterday, unprompted on the subject, that he would talk to him shortly and that he would probably call him up to the senior squad for the friendly against Poland next month.

[musicinmouth]

I think it's all very encouraging, the Scots were going to try to come for him eventually, but he has said he's not going to change. I'm glad that he's *finally* being talked about by senior management and I'm delighted that he might be called to play against Poland - that would be great to see... but it would not tie him down to us, as it is not a competitive match.

[geysir]

We have Tuff Paddy's inside word on the matter, that's as good as it can get :)