It’s November 2021, only a couple of months into his Celtic project, and Ange Postecoglou is already fielding questions about two players struggling to live up to early expectations at Parkhead; James McCarthy and Giorgios Giakoumakis.
“I don’t like making excuses for players. They understand the responsibilities that they have,” Postecoglou tells the Daily Record. “Especially guys like James McCarthy, and Giakoumakis is another who falls into that category.
“They hadn’t done a pre-season and they were training on their own. Any footballer will tell you pre-season is the most crucial part of the year, so we’ve just got to be patient with them.”
“James will get an opportunity and I’m sure when he does, he’ll show his quality.”
Eight months on, no one would dare to question Giakoumakis’ role in the Celtic set-up these days. A bludgeoning battering ram in a squad full of expert lock-pickers, the Greek goal-poacher has proven himself to be an excellent addition; His physicality and presence giving Postecoglou a different sort of threat through the middle.
Giakoumakis ended his debut season in Scotland with 17 goals in 29 games, and a couple of medals to boot.
As far McCarthy, however, well let’s just say that the questions that were being put to Postecoglou in November 2021 could still be asked in August 2022.
Is James McCarthy leaving Celtic already?
McCarthy only made six starts last season. And it’s not as if fitness problems could be blamed either. Instead, the former Everton and Wigan man – a boyhood Celtic supporter – simply doesn’t suit Postecoglou’s fast-paced, possession-based style.
In fact, the problems were clear to see almost from day one, according to The Athletic.
According to The Sun, McCarthy is now considering his future at Parkhead. The Glasgow-born 31-year-old could leave just a quarter of the way through a four-year contract he signed back in August of 2021.
Make no mistake; This is not a decision McCarthy will make lightly. It is no secret that the Republic of Ireland international bleeds green and white after all.
“It’s a dream come true,” he said after signing. “Growing up, I was massive Celtic fan and have been since. Throughout the family, it’s a massive thing for each and every one us.
“When I knew (the transfer) was happening, it was a no-brainer. As soon as I heard about the interest, I wanted to make it happen as soon as possible.”
But McCarthy knows from experience – he was a man on the up at Everton before the injury curse struck and ruined his hopes of becoming a fixture in the Premier League – that life in football isn’t always fair.
Now, with Aaron Mooy, Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, David Turnbull, Riley McGree, Yosuke Ideguchi ahead of him in Postecoglou’s pecking order, McCarthy has no choice but to put himself first if he is to avoid another 10 months stuck to the bench with industrial-strength superglue.
Reports linking the Hoops with Ross Barkley via GiveMeSport – whether true or not – only serve to hammer another nail into McCarthy’s Celtic coffin.
Sometimes, we can be guilty of overstating things. But to suggest that McCarthy’s Celtic ‘dream’ has become something of a personal nightmare feels increasingly appropriate.
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