Celtic icon expects James McCarthy could be sold this summer
James McCarthy could leave Celtic this summer after struggling for minutes during his first season with the club.
That's according to former Hoops hitman Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the midfielder's future.
McCarthy, 31, has only made nine Premiership appearances this season after joining in the summer of 2021.
He regularly features on the bench for the Bhoys but it is rare he makes it onto the pitch with his last league appearance coming on 9 April against St Johnstone.
McAvennie has suggested the midfielder could be sold this summer due to the quality of the Hoops' other central midfielders.
"McCarthy, well he's hardly kicked a ball since he came in," McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
"I thought he was going to come in and be our hardman in the midfield.
"He likes a tackle but it hasn't quite happened for him this season. Some of the midfielders have gone off the boil a bit, like Hatate, and he can't find a way in.
"Hopefully he can get himself fit over pre-season because he started this season injured, it's been a struggle for him.
"But if he can't do that then, well, we already have a lot of midfielders and if he isn't going to play, why would he stay?"
Celtic also have Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Tom Rogic, Matt O'Riley, Yosuke Ideguchi, David Turnbull and Nir Bitton all capable of playing in the midfield three.
McCarthy has made 21 total appearances for the club.