Celtic have already had to deal with their fair share of injuries this season. It is only recently that the likes of Jota and Carl Starfelt are returning to action from their respective problems, while captain Callum McGregor continues to remain out and is not expected to return before the World Cup break. And now, it looks like another name has been added to that concerning list.
Due to the injury to McGregor, Celtic’s midfield has already been weakened significantly and now, the Hoops have lost some more veteran presence there in the form of James McCarthy.
As reported by PLZ (via Glasgow Live), Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that McCarthy has been sidelined with a ‘significant’ blow to his muscle and is set to face a lengthy spell out of action.
While McCarthy was not playing much football for Celtic this season, this is a blow to them regardless. He is one of the most experienced players in the current squad.
Celtic player suffers significant injury blow and out for long-term
McCarthy’s time at Celtic has not been how he would have envisioned it when he arrived. Many questioned the club’s decision to hand the midfielder a four-year deal despite the fact that he was 30 years of age when he signed and had a long history of injury problems to go with it.
They have been proven right over time, as McCarthy has not made a mark on the first-team at all but still has more than two years left on his contract.
The only thing that Celtic can take some hope from in this situation is the fact that he was not a regular in the middle of the park, otherwise, it could have potentially derailed their campaign. The exact extent of the injury is unknown and it remains to be seen when McCarthy will return.