Agree its a risky move but I sense a change at chelsea. They've bought some hot young prospects. The fact no-one is coming through now says more about Ranieri than it does about Mourino. It's not like young Chelsea players are coming through elsewhere (e.g. Carlton Cole). Maybe Abramovich wants to show he can grow a team a la Wenger. Wherever he goes he wont be playing first team this year anyway (I hope)
Hopefully he will avoid Chelsea. Never mind Scott Parker, I hope that move does not turn out to be the beginning of the end for Duff.
The Hamilton manager Billy Reid has taken a swipe at the Scottish FA for failing to approach one of the hottest young talents on these Islands. It is odd. Hard to imagine an international federation more incompetent than ours.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...al/6261503.stm
Another story similar to the BBC one from yesterday's Independent: http://www.unison.ie/sportsdesk/stor...=12&si=1754379
I didn't know about the young lad that changed his mind about his allegiance. Similar to Matthew Connolly I guess
lets hope he's not pressurised into redeclaring for scotland and we lose out on what appears to be one of the hottest talents for years to emerge.
I have a head only Snow White would love
if what kingdom hoop said above is true then i think there is no chance!
he has been picked in the upcoming irish U17 squad. if he keeps getting called up to our underage teams ii reckon he won't leave. i think we are pretty far ahead of the SFA when it comes to our underage international teams. there, at least, we seem to compete and do well on a european level!
What happened with Matthew Connolly Tetsujin? Thought he was out and out English all the way...
I've posted on this before, can't find the post though. He was called into an U-19 squad for Ireland before but pulled out of it. Think it was in late 2005. I found the squad list on a page on eleven-a-side.com but it doesn't appear to be there any more. About 6 months later he played for the England U-19's.Originally Posted by republicofwhite
Got sent this on a Celtic mailing list:
HAMILTON starlet James McCarthy has knocked back a two-day training
spell at Chelsea.
The much-sought- after 16-year-old's future is expected to be decided
this week, and it now appears to lie at Liverpool.
McCarthy's advisor George Gray, of Braveheart Promotions, said: "James'
personal choice would probably be Liverpool.
continued..."I would anticipate matters will come to a head this week."
I understand there was further contact between Accies and Celtic over
the weekend, while Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder has also made a late bid
to persuade the teenager to head for St James'.
But it would appear the personal interest shown in McCarthy during a
training spell at Mellwood at the end of last year by Reds boss Rafa
Benitez has left a lasting impression on the teenager.
Absolute disaster if he goes to Liverpool... Just don't understand it at all. Probably supports them as well or something.
Trio wait on McCarthy bids
He spent 2 days at Celtic this week. Here's an article from last Sunday:Skysports.com understands that Celtic, Liverpool and Reading have all lodged bids for Hamilton Academical starlet James McCarthy.
The trio of top flight clubs are amongst a host of teams trying to prise the youngster away from the Scottish First Division side before the transfer window closes on 31st January.
McCarthy made his first team debut for the club aged just 15 and became their youngest ever scorer at 16 earlier this season.
With Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United all keeping tabs on his development, Accies boss Billy Reid has provided a little insight into the current state of affairs.
"We've had three or four bids for him, but we're not in any rush for James to leave the club," Reid told skysports.com exclusively.
"But if James says that he wants to leave and it's the right deal for him and us we are not going to stand in his way."
While the Hamilton board continues to consider the offers, Chelsea have sent chief scout Frank Arnesen up to New Douglas Park to watch The Accies take on Partick Thistle on Saturday.
McCarthy is sure to be the centre of attention, but Reid has given a glimpse into the mindset of the youngster who he predicts will be a big star.
"His attitude is great, he's not fazed by it at all; he's not in a hurry. He enjoys himself at Hamilton Accies and I can honestly say that he's not starstruck," Reid added.
The clock is ticking down on the January transfer window though, and Reid admits to being uncertain as to a realistic timeframe for a deal to go through.
"It could be the next week or it could be the summer," Reid concluded.
http://www.sundayherald.com/sport/sh....net_worth.php
Read the report from Hamiltons game this weekend. McCarthy was again probably the star man. One paragraph said he was full of deft touches and strong running so it sounds as if he has talent that belies his years.
Very promising that a 16 year is running the show for a Scottish 1st Division team in what is a very tough league.
Top Breeders recommend drinkfeckarse....
The same Scottish 1st division that Gretna are in?Gretna that got thrashed by a certain Irish team?
And if a 16 year old was running the show in the Eircom league it'd be the same. He didn't mention the standard of football.
The Scotsman
CELTIC and Chelsea have entered the race to sign Hamilton's James McCarthy after watching the 16-year-old attacking midfielder impress in Saturday's 2-1 win over Partick Thistle.
Chelsea's sporting director Frank Arneson was at New Douglas Park - where Mark Gilhaney and Richard Offiong scored for the hosts and Mark Roberts grabbed a consolation for Partick with half an hour left - while Celtic reserve coach Willie McStay was also at the game and the SPL champions have tabled a £130,000 bid for McCarthy.
Hamilton have already turned down offers from Reading and Liverpool for McCarthy, who this week joins the Republic of Ireland Under-17 squad in Malta and is expected to make his international debut. Although the player is Scottish, he can play for Ireland as his grandfather is from Donegal.
McCarthy has already trained with Celtic, Liverpool and Reading and was in fine form against Partick. "I thought he was fantastic yet again," said Hamilton manager Billy Reid.
McCarthy is in the U'17s squad for the two games against Italy. First game is in Whitehall tomorrow evening @ 7pm if anyone wants to check him out.
There'll be snow on that one.
Think I might just do that
Always look on the bright side of life
Article from FAI:
"Scottish-born James McCarthy has always had ambitions of playing for Ireland"
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...k=view&id=1620
Might go to the Tolka game myself.
Post from an Irish journalist on a Celtic forum:
i spoke to him and agent a few hours ago.
deal: celtic offered 250k plus two players on loan.
pool: deal up to 750k plus 1k a week for the player...
chelsea: will bid in next 48 hrs up to 1m likely...
reading: said they'll match any bid....
fairly dismissive of celtic the way he said it. we took him 'on trial' to look at him while the other clubs just took him in and let him train and look around, let him look at houses etc...
All this fuss, he must be good!
"A silent mouth is sweet to hear"
Posting Permissions
Quote
Bookmarks