James McCarthy spent last term playing catch-up. But next week he will start a season on a level playing field with the rest of the Celtic squad.
And there surely remains a door wide open for McCarthy to step through and help solve a potential problem for boss Ange Postecoglou. The midfielder has become something of a forgotten man amongst the supporters. With Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic departing at the same time, there are a couple of holes to be filled in the middle of the park.
The Aussie’s departure looks easier to handle. Even without the addition of a signing for an attacking midfield position, the January captures of Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate as well as the availability of David Turnbull mean finding offensive options in the engine room shouldn’t pose too much of an issue. That’s without even mentioning Callum McGregor. Further back, though, is not so simple.
Bitton’s disappearance leaves a gap and Ismaila Soro isn’t going to be filling it. The signals are that he’ll be getting packed off on loan. Postecoglou is on the hunt. Brazilian midfielder Vinicius Souza is one being targeted and would, on the face of it, be a superb signing.
But, with the sheer volume of games Celtic play in a season, it’ll surely need another one to step forward in that area, new signing or not. Yosuke Ideguchi may have lots to offer, but so should McCarthy.
Last season was never going to be easy for him. Making his way back from injury, he pounded pavements alone in the summer to stay fit before he was able to make the transfer in August.Straight away he was behind in terms of fitness and match sharpness and, with McGregor, Turnbull and Rogic delivering for the boss in the opening half of the campaign, it was hard to get action.
Once the turn of the year came, Hatate and O’Riley suddenly entered the building and hit the ground full of running to jump ahead in the queue for spots. But it’s not as if McCarthy was simply bunted into a cones cupboard and forgotten about.
Over the course of the campaign, he made 22 appearances in all competitions. Fair enough, only six of those were starts, but he still did a job from the bench when asked.
The fact he was involved with the squad so regularly tells you that he was doing his work day-in and day-out with professionalism and drive. From everything we have seen and heard about Postecoglou, he is not the type to suffer anyone not pulling their weight in each and every session.
The fact McCarthy stayed a constant within the matchday squads throughout the season when fit and available gives an assurance that he’s a good type to have within the group. Put that together with the CV has built throughout his career.
McCarthy has been at a major championships with Ireland whilst winning 43 caps. He has over a decade in the English Premier League with almost 300 appearances facing some of the game’s elite. It’s a wealth of experience gained and, despite that, he’s not some washed-up veteran. He’s 31 years of age.
Of course, you have to factor into the equation McCarthy made his top-team debut for Hamiton at the age of 15 to add early miles to the clock. But 31 still isn’t particularly old in the modern game.
Certainly Celtic don’t think so. Or else why would they have sanctioned a four-year contract just over 10 months ago? If he can get himself right, he must surely be able to play a part going forward.
The hard yards start for many of Postecoglou’s men on Monday when pre-season training gets started. Most players hate it, but McCarthy will surely relish it because it gives him a chance to get going with the rest.
The opportunity must still be there for him to prove he can play an important role for Postecoglou and the club in 2002/23. Scott Brown was written off before Brendan Rodgers walked into Celtic. Three years later and he was still winning Trebles.
McCarthy has the recent examples. Now it’s his chance to make it happen.
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