After the Rangers got a win earlier, it is safe to say that Celtic needed all three points when they faced Aberdeen in order to keep the pressure up in the Scottish Premiership title race and they did just that with a 2-1 win. As things stand, Ange Postecoglou’s side are four points behind their Glasgow rivals in the table, but they are looking like the team in form in Scottish football right now.
Goals from Jota and Callum McGregor were enough on this occasion to hand them all three points at Parkhead. But another person whose performance was interesting is James McCarthy.
McCarthy arrived at Celtic in the summer as a free agent and surprisingly, considering his recent injury history, he was handed a four year deal by the Hoops. It is safe to say that he has struggled for both form and fitness since then.
He did play the full game against Aberdeen though, in what is promising news for Celtic, with Nir BItton picking up an injury recently. As reported by The Scotsman, Postecoglou said about the Republic of Ireland midfielder:
"“It’s a matter of games and opportunity and we’ve not had the opportunity to give him that game time.“He will feel better after today. We are going to need him, we’re going to need all the lads because we’ve still got ten games to go between now and the break, including a cup final.”"
McCarthy might have a big role to play for Celtic moving forward
This were the first 90 minutes of the season for McCarthy, who has not had a great time since joining Celtic in the summer.
On top of his game though, there is no doubt that he can prove to be an integral part of this team. And the Hoops will be hoping that he has finally put his fitness problems behind him.
Midfield is an area that has been a worry for Celtic this season and many expect them to strengthen there when the transfer window reopens in January. But McCarthy finding his form and fitness would be a huge boost for the club as well, as they enter a heavy schedule in December.