Hamilton and Ireland's James McCarthy

eirebhoy

Face of the future

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/face-of-the-future-1252257.html

James McCarthy, pictured above, at his home in Glasgow was hugely influenced in his decision to play for Ireland by his grandfather and has impressed in their under-age teams

MARIE McCARTHY is getting used to the chore of welcoming strangers into her home and making them cups of tea. Rarely a day passes without some unknown face arriving onto her doorstep.

From the outside, their two storey home looks no different to any other in the vast working class housing estates on the outskirts of Glasgow. Within the four walls, however, there has been a wide array of visitors who have travelled from afar in search of their own Holy Grail.

That's what happens when you house one of the most sought after teenage midfielders in European football. Seventeen-year-old James McCarthy may ply his trade with the modest artisans of Hamilton Academicals in the Scottish First Division but his prodigious talent has alerted every major scout in the game.

Representatives of all the top Premiership clubs have visited at some stage or another in a bid to secure the signature of the hottest property in Scotland. The locals claim that Hamilton's average attendance has doubled with all the observers who come to watch the red haired central midfielder with a goalscoring touch.

As we speak in hushed tones in the kitchen while a surprise visitor from the BBC interviews James in the adjoining living room, Marie's husband Willie explains that Brian Kidd had recently been in this spot bartering on Sheffield United's behalf. For the hosts, it was a surreal experience.

The day after our meeting, a representative of Sunderland was on the guest list. And, in addition to the Premiership Big Four, there has even been a visitor from Spain where Barcelona and Deportivo La Coruna have been watching his progress with interest.

They are giddy times but the story has an added twist. He may be Glasgow born and bred in but the photos on the wall make it clear where his international allegiances lie. Fittingly, the postman drops by with a delivery of custom made football boots from Nike for his elder brother Paul. At the heel, the chosen emblem is the familiar tricolour of green white and gold.

McCarthy has declared for Ireland and is not for turning on the matter.

The natives aren't happy but then maybe they don't quite understand where he is coming from. Either way, they will have to accept it.

****

Paddy Coyle's story was a common one amongst his generation. In the early 1930's, as a teenager, he left his home in Donegal to move to Scotland in search of work and link up with some of those which had gone before him. Economical truths were told about his age in order to secure work labouring and doing whatever was needed to make a few bob.

He was the eldest of eight children and, as circumstance would have it, when he married he would father eight kids of his own. The family set up home in the Castlemilk area on the south east of the city, a part of town established by the local Corporation to find housing space for people living in the overcrowded inner city slums.

Over time, the area has developed considerably in terms of amenities for the locals and is unrecognisable from what it once was.

What has remained constant is the suburb's distinctly Irish feel. The shop fronts and businesses bear names like McDaid and Farrell and other clans of Irish origin. In some respects, it has become a home away from home.

Throughout his life, Paddy never lost touch with the land he left behind. He'd been a handy enough GAA player in his day and represented Donegal at underage level so always kept in touch with their exploits.

In his new home, Glasgow Celtic and football became a passion and in his latter years, he took immense pleasure from Ireland qualifying for three World Cups and made sure that the ever extending family circle clearly understood the significance.

For the exiles of Castlemilk it had a special resonance as a central figure in those glory days was someone who had grown up just around the corner.

The Houghton family were near neighbours and Ray's brother John had dated one of the Coyle sisters in their youth. To this day, the families remain in touch -- albeit from afar as the Houghtons moved south with Ray when football took him there.

Not that the Coyle kids needed much reminding of their Irishness. Through their father's storytelling and interests it was never far away.

Even as they grew up and flew the coop they were never too far from his side. All but one still live in the general area and, despite his passing, the offspring still gather every Saturday night in the family home to honour a tradition which was part of their upbringing.

Those Saturdays were special. The lads might go out for a pint while the women would stick around the house having a chat as the brood marauded around the place.

Now and again, there would be the odd singsong while some of the younger ones engaged in Irish dancing. It may sound like a cliche, but this was the reality for the tight knit Coyle clan and so much of the Irish diaspora who made this part of Glasgow their home.

Marie was the third born Coyle child and the first daughter. She grew up and married Willie McCarthy, a Scot who has Cork blood back in his family tree. They settled, unsurprisingly, in Castlemilk and have four children. First came Paul, then Brian, then Lisa and last in the line was James.

As it became abundantly clear that James was a special football talent, Paddy said nothing would make him happier than to see his grandson represent Ireland. Scotland had consistently dithered over including him in squads but when Sean McCaffrey was made aware of his availability two years ago he was on the next plane over and the rest, as they say, is history.

Sadly, Paddy would not be around to witness his dream come to fruition. Early last year, aged 89, he left this world with a dying wish that James would stay true to his Irish ambitions.

After making that promise, there was never any chance of James turning back. And there never will be.

What he didn't expect was the furore that it would cause. He's well used to being asked by the Scottish press about his intentions and a recent presentation of a Player of the Month award was hijacked and turned into a grilling on the topic.

"It's always the same when you get an interview here in Scotland," says James.

"They're always asking so 'what's happening, are you going to change?' and it's at the stage now where I just say 'we'll see what happens' to put them off and get them off my back.

"I won a Player of the Month Award but spent my entire time talking about that. But I'm happy where I'm at, with Ireland. The fuss can be annoying, but it doesn't really bother me."

He'd rather just play football. Yet the nastier side of the fall-out behind his decision has angered the family. At certain away grounds, they've sat and endured the pain of hearing abuse being rained down upon James with trips to Stirling and Partick in particular bringing back bad memories. To the uneducated, he is a traitor and many more unprintables.

After one particular game, Paul and Brian stumbled upon an internet forum where the accusation had been made that James had blessed himself twice during a match as means of provocation. It was absolutely groundless but the legacy of the courage of his convictions is that such innuendo is likely to follow him.

It would be diff-erent if he moved away from Scotland and privately his family are accepting of that fact. Realis-tically, it will come into the equation when big decisions are made in the New Year.

There are no regrets though. He has been involved in McCaffrey squads at under 17, under 18 and under 19 level and has settled into the group quickly, keeping in contact with his team-mates between call ups. Their camaraderie helped ahead of his first outing against Italy.

"They just laughed about everything that was going on around the time. Yeah, there was a wee bit of pressure and nerves but once I get on the park I don't really get nervous."

The last statement -- like most of McCarthy's words -- is spoken softly rather than with youthful brashness. There is confidence in his ability, but no trace of arrogance. All the same, it is reassuring that when asked his opinion of the prodigy, ex-Dunferm-line boss Stephen Kenny speaks of his toughness on the park as a principal attribute.

His unassuming nature could fool one into possibly thinking that the necessary hard edge to mix it with the big boys might be lacking. On the other hand, it's doubtful that any player -- let alone one who made his debut at the tender young age of 15 -- could excel in the tough world of the Scottish First Division without having the necessary aggression.

Personally he believes his two years scrapping it out have been a far better education than what would have awaited him at Celtic who opted not to take him on as they were over-subscribed numbers wise. Considering they are now amongst his suitors, it was an unfortunate call on their part.

"I was upset about it at the time but I just got on with it and it's worked out better," recalls McCarthy. "I'm playing first team with Hamilton and I've enjoyed it. The set up is great and it's a fantastic stepping stone."

After a flying start to the campaign, the Accies are fighting it out for top spot with Dundee. There's a young nucleus to the squad which has made the bedding in process far easier than it might have been in different environments.

As a debt of gratitude to the faith his manager Billy Reid and all at the club have shown in him, McCarthy is desperate to stick around and deliver promotion even if he knows that there's little prospect of him still being around for the SPL if that ambition is achieved.

Instead, he will be employed in more salubrious pastures but isn't sure where. He has already spent time on trial with Reading, Celtic and Liverpool and enjoyed the various experiences. The opportunity to join the last and most illustrious of those was there in January but all concerned felt it would be better if he stuck around home a little bit longer.

"I didn't want to leave home," he concedes. "I'm happy here with the family, they keep my feet on the ground but at the end of the season I'll see what happens.

I just enjoy being here at home but I know something might be around the corner.

"I leave it to my advisor (George Gray) to deal with it because I just want to concentrate on football. It's good to be mentioned in the papers about who wants me and this and that. And, yeah, sometimes I might be lying in bed thinking about what might happen but I've got to focus on my football and not let the talk get to me."

Instead, it's Willie and Marie who are left to ponder the heart rendering decisions that have to be made. Like the Houghtons all those years ago, every offer from a club in England comes with the carrot of free accommodation for the family to ensure maximum stability for James. They accept that life as they know it may never be the same again.

The excitement about what may lie ahead is palpable but it's tempered by the reason that comes with solid upbringing.

Promising teenagers who have been touted as the next big thing but disappeared just as quickly are ten a dozen. In football circles, though, there is strong belief that this kid can be one of the other two.

Paddy Coyle would be proud. His love for Ireland never wavered and now his legacy to his country will be stronger than he ever could have imagined when he headed for the boat all those years ago.

As James knows more than most, home is truly where the heart is.

James McCarthy: Factfile of a star in the making

Born: November 12, 1990: Glasgow

Club: Hamilton Academicals

Position: Central Midfield

Appearances: 46

Goals: 7

Debut: September 30, 2006 v Queen of the South

Ireland Debut: January 23, 2007 Ireland U-17 v Italy

What they say about him

Billy Reid, Hamilton manager: "I have heard a lot of young players getting hyped up over the years and for any youngster to be compared to established international stars is unfair but this isn't just hype with James. We have something special."

Sean McCaffrey, Ireland youth boss: "There's no question James has all the attributes needed to become a top player. He's special but his next career move is very important."

What he says about the future

"I just want to concentrate on football. It's good to be mentioned in the papers about who wants me and this and that. And, yeah, sometimes I might be lying in bed thinking about what might happen, but I've got to focus on my football and not let the talk get to me."

zAbbo

I think he's in this months 442 as well in the '100 players your club need to sign' section

Anyone seen him play ?

eirebhoy

I saw his debut against Italy. He just kept things simple really and didn't do anything spectacular. I'd say he just has an incredible football brain. The reason I think that is because he doesn't seem to be standing out as a future Barcelona player to the football fans yet the scouts are all really impressed. Fans can obviously tell if someones a good passer, skillful, etc. so I think it must be his intelligence on the pitch that makes him stand out to the scouts.

He actually played up front for Ireland U18s in Germany last month and scored 2 goals in a 3-2 win.
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2637

Considering that was probably his first ever game up front it must just come natural to him.

estebancambias

Surely at 17, he would have to be making progress into the Irish first team squad at least. Messi made his debut for Argentina at 17. Like obviously he has much more time but if he is as good as he is touted to be, then he should be in the Irish squad against Brazil.

Gavin "shels"

estebancambias wrote: »

Surely at 17, he would have to be making progress into the Irish first team squad at least. Messi made his debut for Argentina at 17. Like obviously he has much more time but if he is as good as he is touted to be, then he should be in the Irish squad against Brazil.

You'd think that, but this is the FAI we're talking about here:D

Sure can you name the last time our whole first team were all born in Ireland, bet you can't.

estebancambias

Haha, well no, but I really don't think that is a problem as long as the players always wanted to play for Ireland, i.e Mcgeady, Kilbane. Like you could say the same thing perhaps about France. At the end of the day if they feel they are Irish, then does it matter? People like Steven Reid, I am skeptical about..

estebancambias

I think my impression of McCarthy is that he might be like Luka Modric. As I mentioned in another thread I have played against him about 3 years ago.

Modric said that playing in the Bosnian League meant he could probably cope with any league in the world, pehaps the hustle and bustle of Scottish football will be good for him.

Chardee MacDennis

he was on trial at Liverpool and we agreed a fee with Hamilton but he decided to stay for another season to get more experience. seems like he has a sensible head on him and is very patient.

lets hope he joins us next season though!

estebancambias

Liverpool is not right for him..go to Arsenal(if you can) my son.

mikemac

I hope he lives up to the hype unlike.......

• Mark Kennedy (transfer record for a teenager afaik)
• Richie Partridge (Liverpool youth player of the year twice)

I'm sure if you checked boards people were posting the same things about those two players a few years back

eirebhoy

I'd be very surprised if he doesn't make it big based on reports so far. He's just a completely different type of player to all the young players you see being hyped up.

estebancambias

In what way is he 'different' Eireboy?

eirebhoy

estebancambias wrote: »

In what way is he 'different' Eirebhoy?

He wasn't really an underage phenomenon like most other hyped up players. Reporters and fans who watch him week in week out aren't doing the hyping. He's not a flair player like a lot of the overhyped players. He's a player with apparently world class technique and a great football brain. The 2 ingredients to make a top playmaker as long as he has a good attitude (which he does) and is lucky with injuries.

I just can't see any reason for him to fail if reports about him are true.

estebancambias

Ah I see, good point actually. Does anyone remember some guy called Cherno Samba?

Nalz

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hamilton_academical/8035465.stm

Wonder will there be a move this summer

dogpile

A move to a club like Pompey could be ideal for him, couple of years exposure playing at a decent level...look at Diarra...move to a big club and he'll be without 1st team games for the forseeable, Paul Hart has a good record at bringing through young players also(whether he's there or not next year is another thing)

Raskolnikov

Trilla wrote: »

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hamilton_academical/8035465.stm

Wonder will there be a move this summer

Admirable of him to stay with Hamilton, but even with his ability, they're playing at about the best level they can at the moment.

Don't really mind where he moves as long as it isn't Celtic. No disrespect to Eirebhoy, but I'd really like to see him playing week-in, week-out and not having to compete with 10 other central midfielder's every week.

A Dub in Glasgo

I would agree with that

everdead.ie

Evrton,spurs.pompey,newcastle and sunderland looking at him on wednesday All this hype sounds like he could go for a lot of money

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_5317897,00.html

Mr.Nice Guy

Pompey have been interested for a while but I'm not sure if that would be a good move for him. Hard to know if the Everton interest is truthful or not but if it is I'd love to see him there as they have a great reputation for developing youngsters and you get the sense Moyes would be good for him. If he is to move on though a Championship move wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. As long as he gets games. He's probably the most exciting under-21 talent we've got at the minute.

LuckyLloyd

If he goes, I'm just hoping it's to some club where he will get the opportunity to start. Another Liam Miller story would be terribly disappointing.

eirebhoy

"The player's agent, Willie McKay"

He's changed his agent to McKay which means he's almost certainly looking for a move.

Mikeyt086

I could see the likes of Wolves and Birmigham being tempted which would be brilliant for him, and Ipswich if Keano stays true to his Irish fettish like he did with Sunderland.

Seaneh

Pompy would be a great move for him, espically if Hart and Kidd stay on there.

Nalz

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

If he goes, I'm just hoping it's to some club where he will get the opportunity to start. Another Liam Miller story would be terribly disappointing.

I doubt that... I think this kid looks the part

LuckyLloyd

Trilla wrote: »

I doubt that... I think this kid looks the part

So did Liam Miller to be fair!

The list of players that either fail to improve from when they are 19 / 20 or even go backwards is very, very long indeed.

eirebhoy

I thought this thread would have been fairly active today after Celtic had a bid turned down for him.

dreamers75

eirebhoy wrote: »

I thought this thread would have been fairly active today after Celtic had a bid turned down for him.

for a massive million quid, that guys agent is a god damn legend.

guess a the 20 million bid from real is coming.

Eirebear

dreamers75 wrote: »

for a massive million quid, that guys agent is a god damn legend.

guess a the 20 million bid from real is coming.

Willie MKay is nothing but a lowdown filthy liar at best, at worst (Insert bannable comment here).

Wouldnt believe a single word that came out of that mans mouth and i hope he doesnt screw the lad over, i really do.

Instant Karma

Celtic would probably be a good move for this young lad. I really can't see him commanding a regular first team place in a prem team just yet (I could be wrong) and it would mean a move away from home for him. I think if he chooses to go to celtic he could get a good few first team games as he's already proven in that league,plus he could be close to his family and Celtic have a decent development system of their own which could pave the way for a move to a bigger club a few years down the line.

Fratton Fred

dogpile wrote: »

A move to a club like Pompey could be ideal for him, couple of years exposure playing at a decent level...look at Diarra...move to a big club and he'll be without 1st team games for the forseeable, Paul Hart has a good record at bringing through young players also(whether he's there or not next year is another thing)

I really hope that if we do get a new manager, they will keep Paul Hart on becasue he is an excellent youth team coach and has done a fantastic job with the academy. In fact he has taken it from nothing to a decent standard in only a few years.

eirebhoy wrote: »

"The player's agent, Willie McKay"

He's changed his agent to McKay which means he's almost certainly looking for a move.

Eirebear wrote: »

Willie MKay is nothing but a lowdown filthy liar at best, at worst (Insert bannable comment here).

Wouldnt believe a single word that came out of that mans mouth and i hope he doesnt screw the lad over, i really do.

Agree with all the above. Willie Mckay is only interested in Willie Mckay and no one else. If he really is his agent, then I expect to see a move to Spurs in the not too distant future.

dogpile

dreamers75 wrote: »

for a massive million quid, that guys agent is a god damn legend.

More like 100k...Celtic have the financial muscle of a low level Championship club

A Dub in Glasgo

http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2508251.0.Celtic_face_Swansea_fight_for_McCarthy.php

Celtic will have to increase their offer significantly to sign James McCarthy after Swansea City made a verbal bid of £2m to Hamilton Academical for the midfielder.

Seaneh

Swansea would be a great move for him. Martinez is a very good young manager and they play attacking posession based football and he would slot in perfectly beside Bode and Hartley in the middle.

dsmythy

Anybody but Celtic please.

everdead.ie

If a prem team doesn't get him I'd imagine keane will at ipswich which would only follow previous trends. In that keane can only attract players that look up to him ie Irish or Man U

dreamers75

everdead.ie wrote: »

If a prem team doesn't get him I'd imagine keane will at ipswich which would only follow previous trends. In that keane can only attract players that look up to him ie Irish or Man U

jaysus never thought of that :mad: ****

eirebhoy

So Wolves agree a fee for McCarthy.

He's going to be similar to Stephen Ireland imo. He'll start to shine once he gets the opportunity alongside really good players. Players that will make the quick simple passes look that bit better, offer themselves for the passes, read his runs forward, etc. He plays a simple game and that's not going to stick out in a relegation fight.

Bounty Hunter

eirebhoy wrote: »

So Wolves agree a fee for McCarthy.

He's going to be similar to Stephen Ireland imo. He'll start to shine once he gets the opportunity alongside really good players. Players that will make the quick simple passes look that bit better, offer themselves for the passes, read his runs forward, etc. He plays a simple game and that's not going to stick out in a relegation fight.

according to SSN he has also been given permission to speak to Wigan, Dunno where he would pick but Martinez could suit him.

eirebhoy

I'd much rather he joined Martinez at Wigan. No chance of (Mick) McCarthy playing him in the centre imo. It would be good for him to play the passing game that Martinez uses.

Mr.Nice Guy

I reckon he'll feel more comfortable at Wolves though with a good few Irish lads there, as well as McCarthy. I have high hopes for the guy and have been impressed with his progress thus far. I hope he can continue to develop at Wolves which is where I'd say he'll end up.

DSB

And McCarthy is definitely a good egg, not so sure about Martinez, seems to be alot of bad feeling between him and Swansea since the move.

eirebhoy

The people that talk about Martinez say you'd be doing well to meet a nicer man. Looking forward to watching Wigan under him. I've hardly seen them in a couple of years.

dreamers75

So did wolves beat Real/Man Utd/Liverpool in a bidding war for this prized asset?

His agent must be a tad pissed.

if hes any use he will do well with Wolves Mc Carthys teams play nice ball.

Seaneh

DSB wrote: »

And McCarthy is definitely a good egg, not so sure about Martinez, seems to be alot of bad feeling between him and Swansea since the move.

Swansea fans love Martinez, The onwer loves Martinez, they just felt that he had a chance at promotion with them next season and were disappointed that he chose to leave, he was alteady a hero there before he went back to manage and that will never change.

All the players from last year said he was the best manager they ever played under and he plays very good football so McCarthy (James) would suit Wigan a lot more than he'd suit Wolves, but he probably would settle at Wolves quicker.

eirebhoy

dreamers75 wrote: »

So did wolves beat Real/Man Utd/Liverpool in a bidding war for this prized asset?

Like those teams were battling with Sunderland for Stephen Ireland 12 months ago? Liverpool bid for McCarthy already a couple of years ago, that's no secret.

McCarthy is 18 and it's like he's been playing the game 10 years. He'll make it no doubt. Stuart Pearce said a few months ago that he always knew S.Ireland could play alongside the best players in the world. I think the same goes for McCarthy.

eirebhoy

The sun says he has turned down Wolves and will have medical at Wigan tomorrow.

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2539974/Wigan-nick-26m-Mac.html

Mr.Nice Guy

I'd be surprised if he chose Wigan ahead of Wolves. Perhaps he reckons he has more chance of first team action at Wigan.

Seaneh

To be honest I'd say he knows he has less chance of starting at Wigan but more chance of stilling being a premiership player in 12 months time.

also, at wolves he is likely to be pushed wide right or futher up the pitch, at Wigan he will be played centre mid when he does play.

Fromvert

Having a medical at Wigan, source SSN

eirebhoy

I look forward to seeing Wigan next season now. I think Catermole, McCarthy, Koumas, Gomez and N'Zogbia could form a very good midfield. Their defence is strong enough. Just need a few squad players and strikers.