The James McCarthy rumour
Soccer Football - Europa League - Group G - Ferencvaros v Celtic - Groupama Arena, Budapest, Hungary - November 4, 2021 Celtic's Liam Scales with James McCarthy after the match REUTERS/Marton Monus
According to the pretty well informed Celtic Underground Twitter account James McCarthy is a transfer target for Sunderland.
The midfielder joined Celtic as a free agent a year ago with the club reporting that he had signed a four year contract. Recent experiences with Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic suggests that part of that contract will be an option for Celtic to take up, or not.
Signed at the same time as Joe Hart, McCarthy only started four SPFL matches last season with the January arrivals of Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley and Yosuke Ideguchi adding further to the competition for places.
McCarthy’s former Hamilton team-mate Alex Neil guided Sunderland to promotion last season through the Play Off and is looking to kick on from that success with the aim of a top half finish pushing towards another Play Off place.
With Aaron Mooy joining Celtic last week McCarthy looks to have been pushed down to seventh choice midfielder with a place on the substitute bench only likely in the case of injuries.
Suggestion that Sunderland might be keen on McCarthy.
— Celticunderground (@celticrumours) August 2, 2022
Hasn’t worked out for him and we need a solid DM that fits with the style of play Ange is implementating. He unfortunately ain’t it.
— Dazzy Bobbler (@FleekCouch) August 2, 2022
Would be a good move for his, as he’s not going to get any game time under Ange.
— Spuggy?? (@Spuggy1967) August 2, 2022
McCarthy’s a good player. Best days behind him, but still good. It’s a shame it’s not worked out for him, which is strange, as he adds ‘metal’ to the midfield & is popular in the dressing room. I’m not going to slag him off & will wish him the very best, if he moves on!
— Alan McGrane ???????? (@AlanKerrMcGrane) August 2, 2022
What worries me about the McCarthy situation is the feeling he wasn’t Ange’s signing, which means we’re ultimately still being lied to and the manager will be undermined to much at some point
— Wull See (@whakit) August 2, 2022