Agbonlahor slams new Celtic signing McCarthy after Devlin reveal
Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted James McCarthy is not good enough to play for Celtic.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker delivered his verdict after McCarthy made his full Celtic debut.
The 30-year-old played 72 minutes as the Hoops fell to a 1-0 defeat away to Livingston.
Captain Callum McGregor is unavailable with an injury and McGregor failed to step up in his absence.
The Athletic‘s Kieran Devlin reported on September 20 neither Ange Postecoglou or the scouting department had a significant say in his signing.
McCarthy signed a four-year deal in Aguust meaning he missed pre-season training under Postecoglou.
Asked whether these factors could mean McCarthy will struggle at Parkhead this season, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “Definitely.
“He’s an average player, to be honest. I played against him a few times while he was at Wigan and he’s an average player. He does some things well but Celtic for me have got better midfielders.
“Maybe he’s one that comes out the team and is then in and out of the side.
“It’s worrying times for Celtic. They lost at the weekend.
“Always, over the years, you look at the Scottish league and think ‘Celtic v Livingston? Guaranteed Celtic win’.
“For people who bet, you bet on Celtic and Rangers to win and then Real Madrid and Barcelona. Football’s changing, these teams are not getting it their own way.”
McCarthy has now featured five times across all competitions for the Bhoys.
The 42-time Republic of Ireland international joined from Crystal Palace after his contract expired.
In other news, Celtic have found their new Scott Brown amid a ‘massive dressing room’ verdict.