Celtic ace James McCarthy had Kevin de Bruyne in his back pocket, recalls former Everton team-mate Steven Naismith
IT was the night James McCarthy stopped a Rolls-Royce of a player starring for the Volkswagen team.
Steven Naismith sometimes shared car journeys back to Scotland with McCarthy during their days at Everton.
But back in September 2014, he saw the midfielder motor on his Europa League debut.
Kevin De Bruyne had been rebuilding his reputation at Wolfsburg after bombing at Chelsea.
But that night the Belgian superstar barely got a look-in as McCarthy kept the shackles on him — and also played a part in the Toffees’ opener as they won 4-1 at Goodison.
Celtic’s summer signing looked made for European football and Naismith expects him to be a major player on that stage in the Hoops.
It all starts against Real Betis on Thursday night.
Naisy said: “I’m surprised looking back now thinking that was McCarthy’s European debut.
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“When he came into Everton he was an established Premier League player.
"He’d been playing for a few seasons at that level.
“It never seemed like he was a new player on that stage.
“James and Gareth Barry had a very good relationship in central midfield.
"They were the defensive cover for our attacking plays, so he was always going to feature.
“The manager took that European run very seriously, too, so we always put out a strong team. That night McCarthy kept De Bruyne quiet.
“That was really the start of the resurgence of De Bruyne.
"He’d been to Chelsea and never got the game time he needed to progress.
“It was at Wolfsburg that he started building that reputation of being a very dangerous player.
“I remember the gaffer, Roberto Martinez, warning us about him. But on that night he didn’t really have that much impact on the game.
“That was inevitably down to the two in the middle of the park.
“One of Jamesy’s biggest qualities is his energy getting around the pitch.
“When he went to press, or if he was chasing someone down, he’d cover the ground brilliantly.
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"Then on top of that he had the composure when he won the ball back.
“These are things that are probably all the more important for a Celtic team in Europe.
“In those games it’s vital that once you’ve won the ball back, you keep it, and that you don’t stop one attack only for another to start.
“McCarthy played a part in the opening goal that night as well.
“He fed Leighton Baines, who squared it to me. I stabbed at it and it went past the goalie, hit the defender and went in as an own goal.”
McCarthy, 30, had to deal with the attention as a teenage star tipped for big things at Hamilton.
Naismith, too, had to handle the pressure of a youngster with ability coming through at Kilmarnock.
He reckons McCarthy’s experience of playing with that expectation will stand him in good stead at Celts.
Naisy added: “In Scotland, football is the biggest sport.
“If there’s a bit of a buzz about you as a young player I would argue there aren’t many environments as intense as up here.
"Personally I found that a challenge — and I know James did, too.
“But for the next part of your career it makes it that bit easier. You can deal with the pressure.
“Going down south to Wigan, James was a guy from Hamilton who hadn’t cost a lot of money and they maybe saw him as a gamble.
“There wasn’t as much pressure as there is in Scotland and that will have helped him.
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“Coming back up here is very intense, but he’ll be able to handle that and accept that challenge.
“When I saw the speculation about him joining Celtic, I thought if there was ever a time he could sign it would be now.
“He hadn’t played a lot at Crystal Palace. In previous summers when he’d been linked he was at a level where his salary, and the level he was playing at, was higher than what he’d get at Celtic, so you’d never take it that seriously.
“But with the level of his career over the last year I could definitely see it happening.
“It’s a great move for Jamesy and he gets to live the dream.
“He won’t be happy to be a bit- part player. He’ll want to become a mainstay because he’s got that drive to want to play all the time.
"He’s been overcoming some fitness issues and making sure his body is OK.
“Over the years he’s sometimes broken down when he’s not been right, so he’s done the correct thing getting himself up to speed.
“When he’s playing he can lean on all that experience, but above all he has great quality when he’s firing.”
While McCarthy has been a big noise on the pitch, off it he’s softly spoken.
That didn’t stop the stick flying on Old Firm day, though.
Naisy said: “James and Aiden McGeady were at Everton — and with me on the other side there was a bit of banter.
“But he’s a quiet guy and just goes about his business, works hard and does what he needs to be ready.
“James is quite reserved, so he was a good character to be around.
"Sometimes you’d go back to Scotland on days off and travel together so you built up that bond.
“He’s a big signing for Celtic. As much as he was free it was a big deal, they gave him a four-year deal, and he’s coming with a reputation of being a top Premier League player.
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“The type of character he is means that won’t be a big issue for him.”
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