Peter Grant on the unfortunate James McCarthy reality at Celtic as exit rumours swirl

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James McCarthy felt like someone who was always destined to play for Celtic amid constant links between the player and club in summers gone by.

In 2021, the former Republic of Ireland international finally got to live out the dream of playing his boyhood heroes. He signed a four-year contract early into Ange Postecoglou’s tenure, with excitement bubbling over his arrival.

Nevertheless, McCarthy has always struggled with injuries at Celtic, making just 27 appearances in three seasons, the majority coming as a substitute.

FC Volos made a loan offer for the Glasgow-born midfielder in January, but Celtic rejected it due to a disagreement over wages. Now into his fourth campaign at Parkhead, he hasn’t been seen in any official club communication for quite some time.

James McCarthy and the Celtic exit mystery

Eagled-eyed Celtic supporters on social media pointed out earlier this week that McCarthy appears to have been removed from the player section of the official club website.

Indeed, he has, so plenty of chatter has been circulating online over his spell at Parkhead and whether the Bhoys have cut ties with the former Everton stalwart.

Leaning into the topic, Peter Grant has raised his suspicions that the club has moved to release the ex-Ireland man, citing the unfortunate reality of McCarthy’s time at Parkhead.

He stated [Go Radio Football Show]: “I’ve not even seen James at Celtic Park. Celebrating or whatever, I’ve not even seen James there, so it’s quite a strange one. Listen, he was a terrific player, unfortunately for him, he had so many injury problems. I’m not saying that’s over the last few years, I don’t know anything about that.

“But when he was down south, I thought he done terrific and was a smashing young player; I thought he’d of been an asset, but we’ve not seen hide nor hair of him really. As I say, he’s not been in the celebrations at the end of the season, so it definitely looks as if James has probably left the club.”

James McCarthy leaving Parkhead has become inevitable

Unfortunately, it has felt inevitable that McCarthy would leave Celtic for quite some time. Despite the wait for official confirmation on his departure, it isn’t as if he’s going to break into the first-team picture any time soon.

Brendan Rodgers hasn’t found a place for the Irishman in his plans. Meanwhile, his age and injury record have worked against salvaging his Parkhead career.

Everyone associated with Celtic wanted things to work out for McCarthy. I don’t remember a summer in the last ten years before the Bhoys signed him where he wasn’t linked with a move north of the border.

Ultimately, he has fulfilled the dream of playing for his boyhood club; nobody can take that away from him. Contractually, he is (or was) bound to the club until 2025, but the situation may now have been taken from his hands [Transfermarkt].