James McCarthy, born 12 November 1990 (age 34), hails from the kith and kin of Scotland. This midfielder, known predominantly for his central defensive prowess, currently churns the turf for Celtic. He commands his 5ft 10in (1.8m) frame with grace, conjuring what resembles ballet on the pitch. Weighing in at a solid 11st 4lb (72kg), with the number 16 over his heart, McCarthy is an enduring presence.
Our story takes us back to July 2006, when McCarthy first whetted his boots with the Championship side, Hamilton Academical in Scotland. Over three seasons, his value on the pitch grew demonstrably, starting with 23 appearances and just one goal in the 2006 - 2007 run. He mustered 35 and 37 appearances respectively in the subsequent two seasons, netting six goals in each.
In July 2009, his talent was courted by Wigan Athletic in England's League One, who secured his services for a tidy sum of around £1.2m. His stay at Wigan Athletic was marked by 120 appearances over five seasons, where he managed to knock in seven goals.
September 2013 saw McCarthy take another leap, striking a deal with Everton in the Premier League, with the Toffees parting with a whopping £13m for his talent. His six-year tenure at Everton witnessed ups and downs, with him clocking up 108 appearances and notching six goals, the bulk of which came in the onset of his tenure.
In August 2019, Crystal Palace netted McCarthy from Everton for a £3m fee. His stint at Crystal Palace was shorter yet dense with game time, with 49 matches to his name over two seasons.
In August 2021, McCarthy returned to the familiar greens of Scotland, joining Celtic in the Premiership. Thus far, his run with Celtic has been rather tempered, with only 12 appearances and one illusive goal to date.
Regardless of the current season's prospective outcome, McCarthy continues to hold a place in the hearts of Celtic's faithful, capturing their imagination every time he steps onto the pitch.
