James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

**Yard of Pace** · 12/05/2009, 2:41 PM

What's encouraging is that he seems a level-headed lad and I think he'll choose the best club for him to develop at rather than the biggest or most successful club, if he moves.

**eirebhoy** · 12/05/2009, 6:14 PM

"The player's agent, Willie McKay, has admitted a host of sides are tracking the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...317897,00.html

He's changed his agent to McKay which means he's almost certainly looking for a move.

**tetsujin1979** · 12/05/2009, 7:35 PM

McKay's been linked with improper behaviour charges before. He represents a few other Irish players.

**SunderlandBohs** · 13/05/2009, 8:26 AM

Being linked with Everton, Sunderland, Newcastle and Tottenham this morning in the papers.

**tetsujin1979** · 14/05/2009, 9:31 AM

According to his agent, if Celtic come in for McCarthy, he will snub any move to an English club - http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...322853,00.html

**tetsujin1979** · 14/05/2009, 10:15 AM

Speak of the devil...
from http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...al/8049616.stm

Celtic have made an offer to Hamilton Accies for James McCarthy and the clubs are in talks about a summer transfer, according to the midfielder's agent.

**youngirish** · 14/05/2009, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Speak of the devil...
from http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...al/8049616.stm

Pity I'd like to see him try his hand in a more competitive league. There's little evidence to suggest that the SPL is a good breeding ground for the top class players of the future.

Here's hoping he does develop and justifies the hype and turns out better than McGeady has thus far.

**Drumcondra 69er** · 14/05/2009, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by youngirish

Pity I'd like to see him try his hand in a more competitive league. There's little evidence to suggest that the SPL is a good breeding ground for the top class players of the future.

Here's hoping he does develop and justifies the hype and turns out better than McGeady has thus far.

He's still only 18, plenty of time and I'd argue that playing in the Scottish leagues up to now has been far more beneficial then playing with someone's reserves in England. Think he's have 100 first team games behind him already anywhere else?

**youngirish** · 14/05/2009, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

He's still only 18, plenty of time and I'd argue that playing in the Scottish leagues up to now has been far more beneficial then playing with someone's reserves in England. Think he's have 100 first team games behind him already anywhere else?

I agree up until now it's been good for his development but I don't think if one of the smaller Premiership clubs took a punt on him for a couple of million or more that he'd be sitting in the reserves all season. He'd definietly get some first team action and it would be up to him to seize his chance.

Playing better quality players week in, week out can only be beneficial to his development if he's good enough. Who's to say Strachan wouldn't have him sitting on the bench anyway for much of the season?

McGeady has not developed much as a player in the SPL in the previous few seasons (his player of the year award has to be taken into context of who he was up against). If he'd moved on a few years ago to a Premiership team he could be top class by now and if not then I'd argue he wasn't good enough anyway to justify the hype (see Liam Miller). Maybe he'll move on in the summer also (fingers crossed).

**neutrino** · 14/05/2009, 11:39 AM

I dont know. Celtic seem to have no plan in regards to a transfer policy. They have a massive squad and Strachan just seems to get players in who are available rather than signing a player to fit in with a particular plan. It's almost like they sign players so other clubs wont get them. He'd be better off elsewhere - a club like Everton would be almost ideal. I think Celtic can only take a player so far in their development e.g McGeady - if he moved to a good club in england you'd probably end up seeing him improve whereas I dont think an improvement would be seen with him in the SPL next season.

**Torn-Ado** · 14/05/2009, 11:41 AM

According to RTE he has his heart set on Celtic. Seems a natural progression if it goes ahead.

**Drumcondra 69er** · 14/05/2009, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by neutrino

I dont know. Celtic seem to have no plan in regards to a transfer policy. They have a massive squad and Strachan just seems to get players in who are available rather than signing a player to fit in with a particular plan. It's almost like they sign players so other clubs wont get them. He'd be better off elsewhere - a club like Everton would be almost ideal. I think Celtic can only take a player so far in their development e.g McGeady - if he moved to a good club in england you'd probably end up seeing him improve whereas I dont think an improvement would be seen with him in the SPL next season.

Fair points but the players of that age that Moyes has bought haven't really got much game time (Gosling for example). I think it'd be difficult for McCarthy to go back to reserve team football having been a first team regular since he was 16.

Re Youngirish's point about Miller, the problem there was that he'd missed so much first team football at Celtic before his breakthrough through injuries that to then go and sit in the reserves at Man u completely killed his development, he was well into his 20's at that stage and needed to play week in week out. His Champions League form for Celtic suggested he had the ability, I'd say he has huge regrets over that move now. It's a different situation with MCCarthy given his age and with McGeady given the extra experience he has. I think McGeady should (and will) move on in the summer but don't think that need is as urgent with McCarthy yet.

**youngirish** · 14/05/2009, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

I think McGeady should (and will) move on in the summer but don't think that need is as urgent with McCarthy yet.

100% agree on this but if McCarthy does move to Celtic he's just as likely to be stuck there for a number of years than to get some experience and move on next season or the season after.

He should take his chance to move to a Premiership team while he has that option or alternatively if he wants to stay in the SPL give Hamilton another season and then move on.

**Duggie** · 14/05/2009, 1:02 PM

lads is there any chance that mccarthy could change his mind and play for scotland ? if so i hope he gets a full cap soon.

**Drumcondra 69er** · 14/05/2009, 1:17 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

100% agree on this but if McCarthy does move to Celtic he's just as likely to be stuck there for a number of years than to get some experience and move on next season or the season after.

He should take his chance to move to a Premiership team while he has that option or alternatively if he wants to stay in the SPL give Hamilton another season and then move on.

3 or 4 seasons at Celtic winning trophies and playing the Champions League till he's 22 would be more beneficial as being in and out of the team at a mid ranking EPL side. Plus he still has his family around. Move down south in his early 20's still gives him plenty of time.

Another season with Hamilton would not be the way to go.

**Stuttgart88** · 14/05/2009, 1:22 PM

I haven't followed Celtic as closely as previous seasons but my impression is that young players such as Crossas have got a good look this season and the likes of Hartley are probably past their best. I've never really rated Barry Robson either so I'd say there's a place there for McCarthy to play for.

I'd be very happy for McCarthy to go to Celtic for a couple of seasons at least, say until he's 21. They'd be good for each other I reckon.

Also, who's to say Strachan will be in charge next season? It remains to be seen whether they can get a CL place next season, very touch & go.