Celtic reject loan offer for James McCarthy

Celtic are reported to have rejected an offer to take James McCarthy on loan for the remainder of the season.

It is over a year since the midfielder last played a first team match, he hasn’t been involved in a first team squad under Brendan Rodgers but after turning 33 he has made a couple of appearances for the B team in the Lowland League.

McCarthy is about as far out of the picture as it is possible to get but it seems that Celtic think that there could be a better offer to come in for the former Wigan and Everton midfielder.

At 10.48 this morning Sky Sports reported:

Celtic have rejected an offer from Greek side Volos FC for James McCarthy.

The Super League outfit had wanted to take the midfielder on loan until the end of the season.

The Scottish Premiership leaders wanted a larger percentage of the midfielder’s wage covered so knocked back the approach.

McCarthy hasn’t featured for Celtic since October 2022.

Celtic signed McCarthy at the same time as Joe Hart as Ange Postecoglou hurriedly put together a new look squad.

Although he had made a dozen EPL appearances during the Lockdown season with Crystal Palace it quickly seemed obvious that he was lacking the pace and mobility required for Postecoglou’s side. McCarthy is under contract until May 2025.

Earlier today Sky Sports reported that Cardiff City had made an approach to Celtic over signing David Turnbull.