James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

**Torn-Ado** · 04/03/2009, 12:38 PM

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** · 08/03/2009, 2:23 PM

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

**Gather round** · 08/03/2009, 2:40 PM

Originally Posted by Torn-Ado

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** · 08/03/2009, 2:45 PM

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** · 08/03/2009, 3:11 PM

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

**eirebhoy** · 09/03/2009, 1:19 PM

Strachan called it a 3-6-1 formation.

**third policeman** · 09/03/2009, 1:19 PM

Originally Posted by Gather round

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** · 09/03/2009, 1:42 PM

Originally Posted by third policeman

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** · 09/03/2009, 2:26 PM

Originally Posted by Gather round

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** · 27/03/2009, 6:49 PM

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** · 27/03/2009, 7:27 PM

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

**tetsujin1979** · 27/03/2009, 7:43 PM

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

**back of the net** · 27/03/2009, 7:45 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

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** · 29/03/2009, 12:03 AM

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

**tommy_c12000** · 29/03/2009, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by aidz1

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** · 30/03/2009, 12:42 AM

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

**Deckydee** · 02/04/2009, 11:29 AM

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

**tetsujin1979** · 02/04/2009, 12:46 PM

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