The Celtic Bhoys
Fansided

Crystal Palace star admits his desire to play for Celtic

By Sourav Mahanty

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05: James McCarthy of Crystal Palace is challenged by Manuel Lanzini and Declan Rice of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at London Stadium on October 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05: James McCarthy of Crystal Palace is challenged by Manuel Lanzini and Declan Rice of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at London Stadium on October 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Celtic might be used to losing their best players to cash rich Premier League clubs these days, but that has not stopped Crystal Palace star and lifelong Celtic fan, James McCarthy, from admitting his love for the club.

James McCarthy broke into first-team football for Hamilton Academical at the tender age of 15 after coming through their youth team, becoming the youngest player to represent the club in the 21st century. A few months later, he would also become the youngest player ever to score for Hamilton Academical with his goal against Livingston in the Scottish Cup. But growing up as Celtic fan, it had always been McCarthy’s dream to play for the Hoops.

In fact, McCarthy had tried out for Celtic’s youth sides but could not make it into the team due to the number of youth players that were already at the club. As a result, he went on to join the Hamilton Academical side.

In 2009, the Irish international was again linked with a move to Celtic. But according to reports, Hamilton Academical rejected the bid and instead he went on to join Wigan Athletic on a £1.2-million deal. After four seasons at Wigan, McCarthy would move again, this time to Premier League giants Everton. At Everton he went to enjoy a solid career, making 133 appearances for the club although he was not given many oppurtunitues in his last two seasons at the club.

Now at Crystal Palace, McCarthy is looking to resurrect a career that has stagnated over the past few years. Although it appears that there is still a place in his heart for the club who rejected him as a youth. According to football.london, McCarthy admitted his love for the Hoops while speaking with Crystal Palace before the Manchester City game on Saturday.

McCarthy told the Crystal Palace matchday programme:

“Early football for me was always playing as a kid. I’ve always been a Celtic fan; all my family are Celtic fans. From when I was born, I’ve had the Celtic strips. Obviously as a kid, you’re always watching. We’d go and watch the games. My brothers used to take me.

“I went to quite a lot of them [Old Firm derbies]. I was younger, maybe eight or nine. I’d always be at the game.

“It’s an amazing atmosphere, an incredible atmosphere and one that you really enjoy. You always find you want to play in something like that.”

At just 28-years-old, a move to Celtic might still be on the cards in McCarthy’s future. He is struggling to find minutes at the London club right now, with starting only one Premier League game this season. And if the move does not end up working out, who knows what the future might hold for the Glasgow-born Irish international.

Home/Celtic FC News