Will Celtic finally End McCarthy Farce?

The situation surrounding James McCarthy at Celtic has become increasingly perplexing.

McCarthy, who arrived at Celtic Park during Ange Postecoglou’s first summer as manager, secured a surprisingly lengthy four-year contract. However, it has become apparent that he wasn’t a quintessential ‘Ange signing’, as his involvement with the team has drastically dwindled, particularly under the management of Brendan Rodgers.

Now in the final year of his contract, McCarthy has not made an appearance in any of Rodgers’ squads this season. Instead, his participation has been limited to a couple of outings with the Colt side in the Lowland League, with his last inclusion in the main squad dating back to October 22, 2022, under Postecoglou.

Despite being only 33, McCarthy has been sidelined, primarily training in the gym while the first team trains on the pitch.

Adding to the complexity, Celtic reportedly turned down an offer from Greek club Volos FC for McCarthy in January. [Sky Sports] This decision raises questions about Celtic’s intentions. Surely it would’ve made sense to try and get the player in the shop window.

As the summer transfer window approaches, it seems increasingly imperative for Celtic to address this ongoing saga. The club might need to consider whether it is beneficial for both parties to part ways, potentially through a mutual termination of McCarthy’s contract if no suitable transfer offers arise. This would allow McCarthy the freedom to reignite his career elsewhere, and Celtic could focus on players who fit into Rodgers’ tactical plans.

The resolution of James McCarthy’s situation at Celtic not only impacts the player but also reflects on the club’s management of contracts and player relations. As such, fans and observers alike are keenly awaiting clarity on how Celtic plans to handle what has become an undeniably challenging predicament.