James McCarthy started his first Celtic game in the defeat against Livingston on Sunday. The Hoops suffered a 1-0 loss to a side that lay at the bottom of the table before the 3 pm kick-off. The Irishman failed to impress.

The midfielder signed a four-year deal at the club but fans are left questioning what he contributes to Postecoglou’s side.

Since the disappointment, there have been dressing room leaks regarding the signing of McCarthy and how he is in training. It was claimed that Ange Postecoglou, along with his scouts, had no say in the deal which seen McCarthy move north of the border. It is also said that he is struggling with the intensity of the Greek-Aussie managers training. [Athletic]

McCarthy is making the headlines yet again, Gabby Agbonlahor is not of Celtic quality, and is an “average player”.

“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.” [FootballInsider]

McCarthy has now made five appearances in the green and white hoops, four of which have come from off the bench.

His performance was so underwhelming that Postecoglou may turn his attention back to Soro, who is quite erratic at times, but contributed more to Sunday’s match in twenty minutes than McCarthy had in seventy.

There are mitigating circumstances and it’s clear Jame’s is not quite up to speed yet.