Celtic have remained busy on transfer deadline day as they seem to be on the verge of getting a deal done for Oliver Abildgaard. The Rubin Kazan defensive midfielder is expected to be the enforcer in the middle of the park that Ange Postecoglou’s side do not have right now. On the other hand though, the club seem to be ready to let another midfielder leave.
Celtic have a number of players in their squad who do not have any clear role in Postecoglou’s team at the moment. One such player is James McCarthy.
McCarthy was signed on a free transfer last summer and surprisingly handed a 4-year deal, despite the fact that he was 30 years of age and had a history of injuries. It is safe to say that things have not worked out for him at Parkhead and he could be on his way out just a year on.
As tweeted out by Anthony Joseph, Celtic are open to loan offers for McCarthy. Stoke City will not be making an offer for the midfielder though, as some recent rumours had suggested.
Celtic are open to loan offers for midfielder James McCarthy.@SkySportsNews has been told Stoke City will not be making an offer for the player today, after various reports linked him with a move to the club.
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) September 1, 2022
(w/@RobDorsettSky) #DeadlineDay
Celtic are ready to let the midfielder leave on deadline day
On top of his game, McCarthy was a very good player and when Celtic signed him, they surely must have been hoping that he could rediscover his form. Unfortunately, that has not happened.
The club had been linked with McCarthy for years and it was not a massive surprise that they made the move, when they had the chance to sign him as a free agent. The surprising thing was the length of the contract that the Hoops handed him.
It remains to be seen if Celtic are able to find McCarthy a new home on deadline day. If he stays on, it is hard to see him getting any significant playing time.