James McCarthy

I don't know about Ireland, but as a Palace supporter I've watched him a lot and out of all our players, I'd say that he may be the least suited to the way Ange wants to play. His role under Hodgson was very basic - come on usually around 70 mins, break up play, harry attackers, clear the ball at the slightest hint of danger, and play simple balls (usually sideways or backwards).

 

I can’t say I’ve seen a lot of him, but from what I have seen I do wonder where he really fits in, or if most of the hype was based on him being a fan and playing in England - similar to Duffy.

Seems to lack mobility to me and whilst he’s reasonably tidy I don’t think that’s really enough to command a spot in midfield for us. By no means writing him off or anything, just haven’t seen enough of him to really make any sort of assessment yet.

 

We already have Callum McGregor for that. I guess he's just his back up. Or, as you say, someone to bring on with 20mins to go. Not exactly sure it's worth signing a player for that alone. Soro could be taught all that easily enough. Just need him to chill out a bit.

 

No idea why he was signed in the first place.

 

He got a lot of hype as a 16 year old playing first team football. I’d say there’s a reason he only looked decent in a * Wigan team.

Like Duffy, people seem to fall in love with the idea of any player for Ireland who’s played in the EPL coming here.

 

Poor today but will get better with games I hope/think

 

Because he was free and the board needed to appease the fans.

 

McGregor is quite dynamic as well though. Always on the move, can take the ball in tight spaces and retain possession, will drive forward with the ball from time to time. McCarthy doesn't do any of that.

One positive though is that Mile Jedinak was a regular under Ange for Australia, and he was probably even worse on the ball and just as immobile as McCarthy. So he may be able to fit once he gets up to speed.

 

And him getting 4 years certified that.

 

We need to stop looking to the EPL for signings......

 

Watching the game back now and after 10 mins he's blowing out his * and has adopted the Broony position - ie between the two central defenders.

 

Thought he was ok in the first half but terrible in the second half before he came off. Overall a very unimpressive first start for Celtic no way around that.

 

Thought he was decent in the first half, some tidy passing, if not spectacular. Second half he was * abysmal. He needs to massively improve and quickly if we're to have any chance of going on a run, because McGregor Turnbull Rogic is far too hit and miss, and is not a strong enough midfield for a Celtic team.

 

He’ll do well for us but I can’t see him ever being a first team starter every week. Strange that he got a 4 year year deal.

 

Thought he started off really well first 20 but then started misplacing far too many passes..

 

His passing was atrocious and looked absolutely * by the time he was hooked.. big improvement needed.. hopefully comes with game time

 

I understand match fitness plays a part but I am not convinced by him so far. Never seen much of him in England but I sometimes wonder if McArthur carried him at Hamilton and the hype between they two was the wrong way around.

He has a presence but doesn't seem to have any distinctive qualities going forward or defensively. It's like...he's just "there" to move the ball along without any meaningful purpose. I really hope he proves me wrong though

 

Another one with "Premiership experience" who is rank rotten. If he can't do it against Livi then he's fecked