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| James McCarthy | |
|---|---|
| Name | James McCarthy |
| Fullname | James McCarthy |
| Birth date | 1990-11-12 |
| Birth place | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Height | 1.74 m |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Currentclub | Celtic |
| Youthyears1 | 1998–2006 |
| Youthclubs1 | Queen's Park |
| Years1 | 2006–2009 |
| Clubs1 | Hamilton Academical |
| Caps1 | 58 |
| Years2 | 2009–2013 |
| Clubs2 | Wigan Athletic |
| Caps2 | 99 |
| Years3 | 2013–2019 |
| Clubs3 | Everton |
| Caps3 | 170 |
| Years4 | 2020–2024 |
| Clubs4 | Crystal Palace |
| Caps4 | 40 |
| Years5 | 2024– |
| Clubs5 | Celtic |
| Nationalyears1 | 2009–2011 |
| Nationalteam1 | Scotland U21 |
| Nationalyears2 | 2010– |
| Nationalteam2 | Scotland |
| Nationalcaps2 | 55 |
James McCarthy is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder. Known for his combative tackling, passing range, and work rate, he has represented clubs in the Scottish Premiership and the English Premier League as well as the Scotland national team. McCarthy rose from youth levels in Glasgow to prominence with Hamilton Academical, earning moves to Wigan Athletic and Everton, and later featuring for Crystal Palace and Celtic.
McCarthy was born in Glasgow and grew up in the Castlemilk area, attending local schools before entering youth football. His early development involved spells at youth clubs that introduced him to coaching methods associated with Scottish Football Association pathways and local academies linked to Queen's Park F.C. and Hamilton Academical F.C.. As a teenager he balanced school commitments with academy fixtures against youth sides from Rangers F.C., Celtic F.C., and Aberdeen F.C. while attracting attention from scouts representing English Football League clubs and representatives connected to UEFA youth tournaments.
McCarthy's football career began in the Scottish junior and professional systems, progressing from youth setup to senior appearances. Early senior matches placed him against opponents from Dunfermline Athletic F.C., St Mirren F.C., and Heart of Midlothian F.C. in competitions administered by the Scottish Professional Football League. His performances in domestic cup fixtures and league campaigns prompted interest from clubs in the Premier League and Football League Championship, culminating in a transfer that moved his career to the English top tier.
McCarthy made his senior debut for Hamilton Academical F.C. and quickly established himself as a first-team regular in the Scottish Premier League. A move to Wigan Athletic F.C. saw him adapt to Premier League competition, contributing to Wigan's squad during high-profile matches against Manchester United F.C., Chelsea F.C., and Arsenal F.C.. While at Wigan he was part of the squad that contested the FA Cup final, playing alongside teammates and facing opponents from Liverpool F.C. and Manchester City F.C..
In 2013 McCarthy signed for Everton F.C. where he became a fixture in midfield under managers who had also managed players at clubs such as Sunderland A.F.C. and Newcastle United F.C.. During his time at Everton he featured in Europa League qualifiers and Premier League campaigns that included fixtures versus Tottenham Hotspur F.C., Leicester City F.C., and Southampton F.C.. Injuries interrupted seasons in which he competed for places with midfielders who had represented clubs like West Ham United F.C. and Liverpool F.C..
Following Everton, McCarthy’s career included a transfer to Crystal Palace F.C., where he joined a squad assembled by staff with previous ties to Southampton F.C. recruitment networks and faced opponents including Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. and AFC Bournemouth. In 2024 he returned to Scotland to sign for Celtic F.C., linking up with a club experienced in UEFA Champions League qualifying and domestic rivalry matches against Rangers F.C..
McCarthy represented Scotland national under-21 football team before graduating to the senior Scotland national football team. He made appearances in UEFA Euro qualifying campaigns and FIFA World Cup qualification fixtures, competing against national sides such as England national football team, Portugal national football team, and Spain national football team. His international duties involved matches staged at venues like Hampden Park and away fixtures in European stadia used by teams including Germany national football team and Italy national football team.
McCarthy is characterized as a combative central midfielder noted for interception ability, short and long passing, and stamina, drawing comparisons in style to contemporaries from Premier League squads and midfielders who starred for Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and Manchester United F.C. academies. Pundits from outlets covering BBC Sport, Sky Sports, and publications following The Guardian (London) and The Daily Telegraph have alternately praised his professionalism and questioned his availability during injury periods. Managers from clubs such as Wigan Athletic F.C. and Everton F.C. have highlighted his tactical discipline in systems facing opponents like Chelsea F.C. and Manchester City F.C..
Off the pitch McCarthy has been involved in community initiatives linked to foundations associated with Everton F.C. and Celtic F.C. as well as youth development programmes coordinated with the Scottish Football Association. Media coverage has touched on his family background in Glasgow and charitable appearances alongside figures from Scottish Premier League alumni and former internationals. He has maintained connections with grassroots clubs including Queen's Park F.C. and participated in events organized by supporters' trusts and local councils.
McCarthy's club career statistics include appearances and goals accrued across Scottish Professional Football League, Premier League, and domestic cup competitions such as the FA Cup and Scottish Cup. Internationally he has earned caps for Scotland national football team in competitive qualifying and friendly fixtures. His honours include domestic cup success and squad achievements with clubs that have contested UEFA Europa League places and secured top-flight survival in seasons involving rivals like Aston Villa F.C. and Everton F.C..
Category:Scottish footballers Category:Scotland international footballers Category:1990 births Category:Living people