James McCarthy questioned over Celtic role as former opponent brands summer signing an 'average player'

The midfielder joined his boyhood club in the summer and made first start against Livingston at the weekend.

Celtic midfielder James McCarthy has been tipped to struggle this season, as former opponent Gabriel Agbonlahor brands him "an average player".

The Republic of Ireland international joined his boyhood team on a free transfer in the summer, a move which had been mooted for some time.

McCarthy was linked with Celtic after breaking through at Hamilton and, as revealed by Record Sport , was shown around the training ground in 2016 when Brendan Rodgers was in charge.

The midfielder made his first start in the defeat to Livingston at the weekend, but it's been rumoured that he's struggled initially to adapt to Ange Postecoglou 's style of play.

And at least one former opponent expects McCarthy to struggle as he admits to being unimpressed when coming up against him.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider : "He’s an average player, to be honest. I played against him a few times while he was at Wigan and he’s an average player.

"He does some things well but Celtic for me have got better midfielders.

“Maybe he’s one that comes out the team and is then in and out of the side.

“It’s worrying times for Celtic. They lost at the weekend.

“Always, over the years, you look at the Scottish league and think ‘Celtic v Livingston? Guaranteed Celtic win’.

“For people who bet, you bet on Celtic and Rangers to win and then Real Madrid and Barcelona. Football’s changing, these teams are not getting it their own way.”