Martinez heartbroken over McCarthy’s injury
THE request to speak to Roberto Martinez in Lausanne on Wednesday was initially greeted with scepticism by the Belgian FA press officer. He shrugged his shoulders, as if perplexed that any Irish journalist would want a moment with Martinez. Nevertheless, the plea was passed on and Martinez agreed readily. And why not? For the Belgian boss knew what was coming. James McCarthy, after all, had been his prodigy. Martinez signed the then freckle-faced teenager from Hamilton a few weeks after becoming Wigan Athletic manager in the summer of 2009, and turned to him again soon after taking the Everton job four years later. McCarthy’s fee had jumped from £1.2m to £13m in that time but Martinez knew what he was getting as did McCarthy, who hailed Martinez as ‘a tactical genius’ after Wigan stunned Manchester City in the 2013 FA Cup final. ‘James is a sensational football player. But his human qualities are in a different degree,’ said Martinez, who winced when he saw the incident at Goodison Park last Saturday. Right away, the Spaniard knew McCarthy was in serious trouble, and felt for him. ‘To see someone who is so fully committed to the game, the team, the cause of Everton, and then to see him picking up a horrific injury, it was devastating,’ he said. ‘We are all heartbroken because if anyone didn’t deserve to be a long spell away from the football pitch it is James.’ Martinez is backing McCarthy to come through this dark time, for he has long shown a resilience of character under his shyness. ‘I think James has been thrown a lot of challenges in his career from starting at such a young age in Scotland and having to go through different levels. ‘He’s had to overcome injuries already. He will become an example for any young footballer that has to go through this situation,’ he added. Martinez knows how close McCarthy is to Seamus Coleman and believes the Everton captain will provide vital support. ‘Yes, they’ve both been strong shoulders for each other since James signed for Everton,’ said Martinez. ‘His help will be invaluable.’