New Celtic man James McCarthy has been discussing the prospect of making a return to the international scene with the Republic of Ireland.
McCarthy has struggled massively when it comes to international inclusion over the years. Despite being called up by Stephen Kenny back in September and October, the midfielder has only played two games for his country since 2016.
Much of this has been down to injuries playing their part such as the horrific double leg break the player had back in January 2018. A lack of consistent game time over the last 12 months with Crystal Palace didn’t help James either.
But after bagging a massive move to boyhood heroes Celtic, things are finally looking up for him. And whilst he’s been discussing his international future, McCarthy was hesitant to look too far ahead.
As quoted by the Scotsman, the 30-year-old said: “I’ve not closed any door with Ireland. I want to make sure I am fit to play every week and then we’ll see when the internationals come about.
“If the door is still open, then I have not had a thought of ‘Ireland, I am not going to go away or retire’. It’s never crossed my mind. I just want to keep playing every week here and then see where it takes me.”
James McCarthy can easily build himself an Ireland future at Celtic
There is absolutely nothing stopping McCarthy from battling his way back into the Ireland side once again.
Injury issues will be brought up and aimed in the direction of the new Celtic man. However, t’s important not to forget last season. McCarthy was fit and available for the most part outside of one niggling hamstring injury in October. He simply wasn’t selected often enough despite making 18 appearances.
And if we’re being honest with ourselves, Ireland boss Kenny hardly has a wealth of quality available to him in the midfield. Conor Hourihane, Alan Browne, Jeff Hendrick, Jayson Molumby, Jason Knight, and Josh Cullin made up his engine room contingent for his last squad back in March [FAI].
You can’t look at those names and think any are better than a fit and firing McCarthy. It’s a list that James will fancy battling his way into. Whether he can do so in time for September’s qualifiers is debatable, but a return is hardly beyond him.
Of course, it can only happen should McCarthy manage to make himself a standout at Celtic Park. So long as he isn’t getting regular minutes, international football will continue to evade him.
It’s clearly something the new Celtic man wants. And after sealing such an important move for his career, he’ll likely already be in Kenny’s thoughts for the World Cup qualifiers.
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