The Athletic claim that new Celtic signing James McCarthy is struggling to cope with training under Ange Postecoglou, after his first start on Sunday.
McCarthy, 30, joined Celtic on a free in the summer. The Ireland star joins the club he supported as a boy, leaving Crystal Palace – his deal expired.
The ex-Everton man signed a four-year at Celtic but he has got off to a rocky start. Renowned for being somewhat injury prone, he is yet to get going.
On Sunday, he started his first game for Celtic with Callum McGregor absent. But he failed to provide the difference as Celtic lost to Livingston.
Now, reports have emerged from The Athletic that claim he is struggling with training. Postecoglou also had little to do with his arrival at Celtic.
McCarthy struggling at Celtic: Four-year deal must be questioned
Now, McCarthy is a coup for Celtic if he can get back to anywhere near the standard he was at before his double leg break at Everton.
That injury, sustained in a tackle with then-West Brom striker Salomon Rondon – who is now at Everton – has had a massive impact on McCarthy.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
Since then, he has struggled to find the game time needed to gain the momentum that is required in order to rediscover his best form.
At Celtic, he might get that. Plenty of games, plenty of chances. But to hand an injury prone player, who is a risk, a four-year deal at 30, is ridiculous.
McCarthy should have, at best, got a deal until the summer of 2023. Now, the Hoops will have a player on their hands on big wages until 2025.
