Celtic new boy James McCarthy branded an ‘average player’ by ex-Aston Villa star Gabby Agbonlahor
CELTIC summer signing James McCarthy is an ‘average player’.
That’s the verdict of ex-Aston Villa star Gabby Agbonlahor who believes the Hoops have better options in the middle of the park.
The former Hamilton Accies kid was snapped up by the Parkhead club in the summer on a four-year deal.
He’s previously played down south with Wigan, Everton and Crystal Palace and came up against Agbonlahor during his time in England.
The midfielder – who has reportedly ‘struggled in training’ - was handed a start from Ange Postecoglou in Sunday’s defeat to Livingston.
He played 72 minutes at the Tony Macaroni Arena before he was replaced by Mikey Johnston.
And he’s been tipped by the ex-England international to come in and out of the team.
Speaking about McCarthy to Football Insider, he said: “He’s an average player, to be honest.
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“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”
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Meanwhile, Celtic have appointed former Morton interim boss Anthon McElhone as the club's new head of sports science.
McElhone left Cappielow in March after inheriting the Greenock hotseat from David Hopkin.
He replaces Jack Nayler, who left the Hoops in June for German side RB Leipzig.
McElhone previously worked for Tottenham Hotspur for close on a decade as academty and first-team fitness coach before becoming assistant manager at New England Revolution in January 2018.
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He also had a stint at Bradford City with Hopkin, prior to the pair working together at Cappielow.
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