Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
He just has to get Mac out there
JAMES MCCARTHY has his work cut out to make the Ireland squad proper for the upcoming Euro 2020 double-header.
The Everton midfielder hasn’t played a competitive game since breaking his leg in a horror injury 13 months ago.
He has been in Toffees squads but cannot catch a break when it comes to getting on the pitch.
Ireland boss Mick Mccarthy has kept in regular contact with the forgotten man of Irish football since landing the job in November.
And while included in yesterday’s 38-man provisional squad, he is in a race against time to play any part in Gibraltar or against Georgia.
Mick said: “I put him in the squad because in normal circumstances, if he was playing, then he’d be a shoo-in.
“He’s one of our best players but he’s not playing games.
“And I just don’t think it’s appropriate if you’re not playing games. And I’ve said that to him.”
The 28-year-old was hoping to land a loan move in the January window but links to Crystal Palace and Celtic came to nothing.
“He was hoping it would happen as he wanted to go and play some football,” added manager Mccarthy.
“I stressed to him, ‘don’t be thinking about going to a Premier League club’. Go to a club that desperately wants you and someone who is going to play you.
“I’m not bothered whether it’s Championship or League One. I don’t need to see him playing in terms of his ability.
“I need to see him play 90-minutes. I know what it’s like as I’ve been there, when everybody’s questioning can you come back after being out for a long time.
“But you have to play, get battle-hardened.”