Celtic: £20k-a-week star 'doesn't fit' in Postecoglou's plans at Parkhead

Celtic midfielder James McCarthy has looked “off the pace” during his time at Parkhead, according to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph.

The Republic of Ireland international signed from Crystal Palace 12 months ago, but he played less than 750 minutes in all competitions during his first campaign at the club.

Following 11 years in the Premier League, the midfielder opted to make the move north of the border after his deal at Selhurst Park had expired.

According to the Daily Record, the Glasgow-born star is a boyhood Hoops fan, highlighting why he snapped up the chance to sign for the Scottish giants.

But McCarthy, who earns £20,000 per-week, started just 10 games in his final season in England and his lack of regular football has come to the front since he arrived in Scotland.

As a result, the 31-year-old featured just 22 times in all competitions and while he collected a Scottish Premiership and League Cup medal, he was restricted to just four starts in the top-flight and only two from October onwards.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “James McCarthy hasn’t really worked out as maybe he would have hoped and when you watch him play you don’t really see where he fits in to the way that Ange Postecoglou plays.

“He slows the game down a lot, he seemed quite off the pace in a lot of the games that he came on in, although that happens if you’re playing regularly and not match fit.”

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When the experienced midfielder made the move to Celtic, he penned a four-year deal with the club he supported as a boy.

But less than 12 months into his Hoops career, it already feels extremely unlikely that McCarthy will see out the duration of his contract.

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