Rare Celtic outcast sighting made as forgotten man spotted at Championship game

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Brendan Rodgers will likely allow a number of players to leave Celtic this January window.

Maik Nawrocki is attracting Oxford interest while Stephen Welsh has already left for KV Mechelen on loan.

Luis Palma is on the brink of a Celtic exit and Odin Holm is an LAFC medical away from sealing his own short-term departure to the MLS.

Some fringe players will stick around to cover the first-team as the fixture schedule demands strength in depth from each squad with runaway leaders Celtic no exception.

But there is one player who has been conspicuous by his absence this season and it is James McCarthy.

• READ MORE: Kris Boyd waffles about Celtic star ‘red card’ foul vs Ross County in pathetic VAR accusation

James McCarthy attended Hamilton Accies vs Partick Thistle

The Irishman, 34, has not kicked a ball in anger for more than two-and-a-half years having been handed what was a whopping four-year deal back in 2021.

It was a head-scratching move back then and has only become more confusing since Macca has not been seen or heard from in a year – perhaps longer – while still under contract.

The player has not trained with the club nor has he featured at all and he has only made 27 appearances in four years with his last one coming in October 2022 against Motherwell.

It has been a baffling episode regarding McCarthy but 67 Hail Hail understands a January exit is likely and will finally put an end to the strange situation.

So it was interesting, nice even, to see McCarthy finally appear in public this weekend, although it was not in any official Hoops capacity.

What fans said about finally seeing James McCarthy again

No, the former Hamilton Accies youngster was instead in attendance at New Douglas Park to promote the Championship club’s new third kit.

Fans were happy to see him in the wild and some punters had fun with the post on social media.

One wrote: “First time I’ve seen him in months!”

Another chuckled: “Was about to break oot the Ouija board to make contact. Glad yer still alive, Son”.

One said: “Most he’s done in three years,” as a fourth added: “James has been found.”