Celtic idol slams 'lost' James McCarthy after latest - 'what has happened?'
Frank McAvennie does not understand why Celtic signed James McCarthy.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Hoops striker said McCarthy, 31, "looks lost" in Ange Postecoglou's side.
Celtic lost Callum McGregor to an injury against RB Leipzig on 4 October.
The knee injury will keep the captained sidelined until after the World Cup.
McCarthy is one of the defensive players who could fill the void left by the Green and Whites skipper but is yet to be given a real chance by Postecoglou.
As quoted by the Daily Record (10 October), the Australian shut down any suggestion that he was using a "trial and error" approach to find the best replacement for McGregor.
McAvennie said McCarthy no longer seems like he has the ability to step up for the Hoops.
"I do not know what has happened to McCarthy, he is just lost now," he told Football Insider.
"Why they bought McCarthy I do not know. I thought he was going to come in and be the holding player in midfield. I liked him I thought he was a great player.
"Now, he does not look fit when he comes on. He obviously is not match fit. I do not know if the manager has sat down with him and told him there is a space there and he needs to step up."
McCarthy has made just four appearances for Ange Postecoglou's side this season, totalling 44 minutes on the pitch.
He has made two substitute appearances in McGregor's absence.