McCarthy hailed by boss as exit looms
BRENDAN RODGERS has confirmed that fringe midfielder James McCarthy is set to leave Celtic. The 32-year-old former Irish international was signed on a four-year deal during Ange Postecoglou’s first transfer window in 2021 but made just six starts in two seasons under the Australian.
Left out of Rodgers’ squad for the opening Premiership games of the season, he has been told he is free to find a new club.
And if a transfer is not agreed by the deadline at the end of the month, it’s likely a deal will be struck to terminate his contract.
Rodgers said: ‘I feel real shame for James, because growing up he was obviously a Celtic supporter.
‘I saw him a lot down in the Premier League and he was a fantastic talent there both with Wigan and Everton. Sadly for James, a few injuries and niggles have curtailed his time here, so he will be looking to move on.
‘But he’s a great guy. He trained really well with the group when I first came in here and I’ve had a couple of really good conversations with him.
‘I think there has been interest, and I know that his agent has been talking to the club to see if we can find a compromise for him.’
With the arrival of Gustaf Lagerbielke pushing him further down the defensive pecking order, Yuki Kobayashi has also been deemed surplus to requirements.
Kobayashi only arrived in Glasgow in January but in common with Sead Haksabanovic, another Postecoglou signing, has drifted to the fringes of the squad.
Rodgers insists he has not fully closed the door on either player.
He continued: ‘Some of it is based just around whether they are happy. You need a squad, but players who maybe are not regular starters can only do that for a certain period of time.
‘Some of them may be thinking about becoming starters elsewhere, but everyone has a chance every single day.’
Focus over the long-term future of goalkeeper Joe Hart will also sharpen in the coming months.
Now 36 and in the final year of his contract, Hart has started the season as Rodgers’ No1 but the manager admits there is no certainty over a new deal for the former England cap.
Historically, Rodgers has encouraged his keepers to join in with the ball at their feet, an area of Hart’s game that was identified as a weak point by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
‘I’ve had a couple of good chats with Joe,’ he added. ‘The players are still adapting — all of them — to what I am asking them to do.
‘There is absolutely no question about his personality. He is a great guy, a very humble man.
‘He’s a brilliant shot stopper, a big presence in the goal, a great communicator, really good in the changing room.
‘There are aspects of his game that he’s tried to develop with his feet and accuracy of passing, he’s tried to do that.
‘He can play the simple passes, it doesn’t need to be complex.’