James McCarthy

[Jezzman]

According to his agent George Gray.

 

I don't know much about this kid. Is he really "all that"?

 

Barça Join Race For Irish Whizzkid

18/11/2008 11:25

 

Barcelona have joined a host of clubs showing an interest in Hamilton Academical youngster James McCarthy, who has risen to prominence this season at club and international level...

 

The 18-year-old midfielder is set to play for the Republic of Ireland's Under-21 side again this week and scouts from a number of teams will be present to his progress.

 

McCarthy's agent, George Gray, revealed the scale of the club's that are interested with Barça joining Liverpool and a number of Spanish teams in being asked to be told of developments.

 

“The number of clubs who have contacted me about James is unbelievable,” Gray told Sunday World. “He has been down to Liverpool and Reading are seriously interested.

 

“But several Spanish sides, including Barcelona, have asked to be kept informed of his situation. There are a number of English clubs keeping tabs on his progress but for the moment he is enjoying playing in the SPL for Hamilton.

 

“James really is a wonderful talent. I know what the likes of Chelsea have and he is as good as anything down there.”

 

After rising throught the youth ranks at Hamilton, the Glasgow-born McCarthy made his debut two year ago aged 16 and has represented Ireland at several youth levels.

 

With his club side now in the Scottish top flight, the yougnster is testing himself against the best Scotland has to offer, but he could soon be parading his skills on a mauch larger stage.

 

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

"He has been down to Liverpool and Reading are seriously interested."

 

not exactly what you said.

[Jezzman]

"McCarthy's agent, George Gray, revealed the scale of the club's that are interested with Barça joining Liverpool and a number of Spanish teams in being asked to be told of developments".

 

?

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

"McCarthy's agent, George Gray, revealed the scale of the club's that are interested with Barça joining Liverpool and a number of Spanish teams in being asked to be told of developments".

 

?

 

that's not quite the same as "seriously interested".

 

anyway, it's a minor quibble

[cymrococh]

There was a fair amount of fuss about this lad a while ago wasn't there?

 

I'm pretty certain there was even a piece on the offal about him coming down for a trial?

[Jezzman]

that's not quite the same as "seriously interested".

 

anyway, it's a minor quibble

Indeed it is..

[cymrococh]

EDIT: Story removed due to quotes coming from the rag.

 

Apparently he turned us down last year and said he wanted to wait until this year.

Edited November 19, 2008 by Paul Caruso

[Maldini]

Those quotes are from about a year ago. Apparently the lad is class though.

[Maldini]

Here are a few recent articles about him:

 

http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines...owing_pains.php

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/no...andfootballteam

 

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/sport...-his.4698763.jp

[DJM]

He's been excellent for a very poor Hamilton team this seaspn. Scored a cracker against Falkirk the other week.

[Guest spk]

sorry it has to be said so screw it i'll play devils advocate. he'd be a f***ing fool to come to us. we havent developed anyone into a serious first team player for several generations now and based on recent history he'd end up with us for a season or two and then loaned out or left dicking around in the reserves before being sold to a lower league club (ince is well on the way to aking blackburn there atm).

 

youth development is a real issue at liverpool and fwiw chelsea as 'big clubs'.

[aka Dus]

Apparently we had a bid turned downa year or more ago. That article ids only a badly written recycle job.

[Spion kop]

he was mentioned a year ago, since then i keep hearing his name on Soccer Saturday Scoring goals. There as big noise over whether he was going to play for Ireland or Scotland.

[aka Dus]

he was mentioned a year ago, since then i keep hearing his name on Soccer Saturday Scoring goals. There as big noise over whether he was going to play for Ireland or Scotland.

 

There was a big noise when Terry Butcher opened his gob again and suggested that he was going to play for Scotland when the player himself had said nothing of the sort.

[Tones]

I believe he played in a friendly for us? Along side Gerrard and apparently scored a cracker for us too? Pretty sure i read that about a year ago. I seen he was playing against Celtic for Hamilton at the weekend, and despite being down to 10 men for most of the game only lost to a late celtic goal. Unfortunately i find it hard to watch much scottish football so didnt see enough to say how he played.

[Sion]

I believe he played in a friendly for us? Along side Gerrard and apparently scored a cracker for us too? Pretty sure i read that about a year ago. I seen he was playing against Celtic for Hamilton at the weekend, and despite being down to 10 men for most of the game only lost to a late celtic goal. Unfortunately i find it hard to watch much scottish football so didnt see enough to say how he played.

 

Don't know about a friendly

As I remember it:

He came down for a trial, was brilliant, scored a cracker from distance in training, talked to Gerrard, turned us down, wanted to stay in Scotland at least another year.

[Tobes Rafa]

He doesn't play for Arsenal's kids so he must be sh*te.

[Tommy Cockles]

Ahem.

 

PLTBT.

[Ronnie Whelan]

sorry it has to be said so screw it i'll play devils advocate. he'd be a f***ing fool to come to us. we havent developed anyone into a serious first team player for several generations now and based on recent history he'd end up with us for a season or two and then loaned out or left dicking around in the reserves before being sold to a lower league club (ince is well on the way to aking blackburn there atm).

 

youth development is a real issue at liverpool and fwiw chelsea as 'big clubs'.

 

 

I assume you mean generations of the academy? Even at that there are a few promising lads there at the moment but none that could be described as been brought through. AS you said this is a problem at every big club and isnt about to change in the near future.

Edited November 19, 2008 by Ronnie Whelan

[elmo]

"But several Spanish sides, including Barcelona, have asked to be kept informed of his situation."

We are favourites though. Barca will come in if we don't sign him.