McCarthy Looking Promising

[bazza76]

If Rafa rates him as a first team squad member at the age of 16 then the kid must be a bit special. Hopefully we won't let him move to one of our rivals over a few quid...

cant see that happening this time, not over money anyway.
If he goes elsewhere, it will be becuase he thinks its in his best interests or his is moving to his boyhood idols.
From what I am gathering, as you say, Rafa really rates him, and is already livid at missing out on a few youngsters. Giving the way our recruitment of young players is going of late, and the lads performance trainign with the first team. We will be going all out to convince the lad to sign.
Having said that, I havnt been over convinced that we really show our targets how much we want them in the past. Hopefully it will be different this time.

[bazza76]

Given the crazy price of transfers and the fact that loads of big teams are after him, 130k seems like a pretty ****e offer unless this included other clauses.

You would think so. very few deals go through without clauses these days.

[Shaggy]

Bah, so fookin what?! Who cares where he comes from or who he plays for. He could've been born in Melton Mowbray and represent The Gabon at international level for all I care. International football is **** and pointless anyway, who cares about that **** apart from the Welsh?

**** it. Let's just hope we sign him.

[Ritchi3]

I think the difference on opinion is dependant on whether you have pride in your roots or not. It's not easy to explain to someone who doesn't, why you should, and vice versa.

Anyway back on topic, here's the match report from the Irish game. Note the goal scorer.

Republic of Ireland U17 1 – 0 Italy U17
Gareth Matthews 22

Ireland deservedly beat Italy on Tuesday courtesy of a first-half winning goal from defender Gareth Matthews at Home Farm's ground in Whitehall.

The crucial goal came when Matthews, of Norwich City, headed home a free kick that was curled in from the right by Liverpool winger Shane O'Connor after 22 minutes of play.

Ireland were worthy winners and had numerous chances to add to their lead. Shane O'Connor came close to making it 2-0 on the half-hour mark with a free-kick that was tipped over by Italy goalkeeper Viotti.

Two more chances fell to the Liverpool midfielder in the second half but on both occasions, his shots angled over the crossbar.

It was a good all-round performance by the Irish squad, as they stepped up their preparations for the upcoming UEFA Elite stage qualifiers, which take place in Germany from 21st – 26th March.

James McCarthy made his debut for Ireland and the Hamilton Academical midfielder contributed to the victory with his array of passing. His central- midfield partner, Conor McCormack, was also influential as he set up plenty of Irish attacks.

Italy did have the ball in the net in injury time but Albertazzi's header was ruled out for off-side.

The nations meet again on Thursday at Tolka Park (7pm) in the second fixture of the double-header.

Ireland: Kieron Thorp - Crystal Palace, Gareth Matthews – Norwich City, Mark Nolan - Glasgow Celtic, David Joyce - Birmingham City, Paul Honohan – Wilton, Kurtis Byrne - Norwich City, Conor McCormack - Manchester United, James McCarthy - Hamilton Academical, Shane O'Connor – Liverpool, Craig Duggan - Kilreen, Cork, Sean Scannell - Crystal Palace.

SUBS: Ian Daly - Manchester City for Scannell, Conor Kavanagh - Blackburn Rovers for Nolan & Eric Foley - Glasgow Celtic for Byrne (All half-time), Ian Byrne – Bohemians for O'Connor (64 mins), James Cronesberry - Middlesborough for Duggan (75 mins), Niall McArdle – Sunderland for Matthews (77 mins).

Italy: Viotti, Grea, Albertazzi, Tuia, Marrone, Marco, Fernando, Paloschi, Pasquale, Masi, Ciano.

REFEREE: Conor Fitzgerald.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

"The Liverpool manager, Rafa Benitez, has assured me that James will be in his first team squad if he goes to Anfield — he will become the youngest player to train with the first team at Melwood, and won’t go through the academy process.

"James went down to Liverpool, did well, and Rafa was over the moon with him"

Wow this is interesting and exciting if he's that good and Rafa says something like that then im very hopeful

[WILF]

I don't understand all the vitriol towards the lad.
We live in a democracy, let the lad chose who HE wants to play for.


Why does everyone have to be so angry, it is only national football

[steveheighwayrobbery]

So what if an English couple have a baby whilst on holiday in say, France. Does that then make the kid French?

No, just unfortunate

[simey85]

if hes as good as were led to believe then don't care who he plays for as long as we get him!

[Maestro]

Jesus some people have come out with some ****e on this thread!
FWIW, I agree that the grandfather rule is a little too tenuous....but while it's there, a kid can't keep a promise to his dying grandfather?

Ray Houghton was never wanted by Scotland. Andy Roxburgh never rated him, and Houghton was as near a Scotland call-up as you are.
So he chose Ireland. After Ireland beat Scotland one year, Houghton played well and Roxburgh met him coming off the pitch and said "You should have been playing for us" and Houghton replied "You had your ****ing chance".

When it comes to the parenting rule, you cannot quantify how "insert-nationality-here"-ish someone feels. Sometimes the player's decision is genuine, sometimes it careerist - but when a ****ing 16 year old wants to keep a promise to his dying grandad.....

[AFII]

ACCIES WONDERKID EYES HOME COMFORTS
Chelsea, Liverpool, Celtic and Reading all want him but 16-year-old wonder-kid JAMES McCARTHY proves just a modest boy who admits he's happy to stay and learn his trade with Hamilton
By David Mccarthy

IT'S fair to say James McCarthy didn't play like Steven Gerrard on Saturday. But every once in a while he would play a pass or make a run that provided a glimpse of what all the fuss is about.

The Hamilton youngster lasted only 51 minutes of the 2-1 win at Livingston before boss Billy Reid recognised the kid's Duracells had ground to a halt. So he took him off and wrapped an arm around him.

That should come as no surprise. Reid acts like a protective parent around his 16-year-old protege.

Twenty-four hours earlier he'd stayed by McCarthy as the boy sat down to speak about the meteoric rise that has seen Liverpool, Reading and Celtic make substantial offers for his services while Chelsea prepare to trump them all with an offer that could be worth £1million to Hamilton in the long run.

On Saturday Reid demonstrated his caring attitude towards the midfield prospect as he finally ran out of steam at the end of a whirlwind week that had seen him play three games, including making his international debut for the Irish Republic's Under-17s, while under the kind of microscope most players double his age never have to cope with.

Reid whipped McCarthy off for his own good as much as the team's. The energy from box-to-box that so many people have compared to a young Gerrard just wasn't in evidence and although he had provided a couple of quality passes, the lad was just off the pace and the decision to remove him was the right one.

He'd even taken stick from a section of the Livingston support, who sang 'Liverpool - you're having a laugh' as he took a corner in front of them.

Ultimately, McCarthy WILL be laughing. Either in the Premiership or with the club he has supported boy and boy. He'd walked into the away dressing room at New Douglas Park 24 hours earlier, smiling shyly and offering his hand as he prepared to speak about his new-found fame.

Most people would be freaked out by the attention he's received but this baby-faced, ginger-haired kid from Castlemilk seems genuinely unfazed.

At 5ft 11in and with a bigger build than most of his peers, he does seem equipped to be playing a man's game at a boy's age. But it's his mentality that shines through on the first meeting.

He clearly believes he belongs and it is that self-assurance - which thankfully remains miles on the right side of arrogance - that has allowed him to travel to Liverpool, Reading and Celtic and train with first-team players.

The fact that all three have offered to sign him on the back of the trials he's had tell you all need to know.

Yet, he's happy where he is. He insists staying at Hamilton for the rest of the season is his preferred option and while that might be giving the club's directors palpitations, they know they have an asset that will only appreciate in value.

He said: "I am coping fine with all the hype. I just enjoy playing football. I enjoy being here. I'm well looked after. Getting first-team football at my age was a surprise, especially when I was first picked as a 15-year-old but I think I've handled it okay."

He's enjoyed travelling to other clubs and meeting his hero Gerrard remains a highlight - but McCarthy knows there are pitfalls in moving to England too young, which is why Celtic might just win the fight for his signature.

He said: "The prospect of moving away from here and maybe down south is a lot to think about. I know I will move from Hamilton at some point but I am really enjoying it here.

"I went to Celtic for two days and loved it. I grew up a Celtic fan and one advantage of going there would be that I wouldn't have to leave home yet.

"Darren O'Dea spoke to me when I was there because he'd heard I'd chosen to play for the Republic of Ireland. I spoke to Aiden McGeady as well."

The decision to play for Ireland in honour of his grandparents wasn't a tough one for him. Not when his native Scotland has never asked him to represent them at any level.

He prefers not to dwell on the issue and appears to have made up his mind but at club level he still doesn't know what the future holds. He said: "Liverpool was great. The training facilities were fantastic and I got to play in a bounce game as well as meet a few of the first-team players.

"Steven Gerrard, Peter Crouch and a lot of others were very friendly.

"Gerrard is one of my favourites but thankfully I hadn't been likened to him at the stage I met him - that could have been embarrassing.

"It's good to get comparisons with someone such as Gerrard but I don't pay too much attention. I will have to work hard to be anything like him.

"But I am really enjoying being at Hamilton. I think I'll be here for the rest of the season. At least I hope I will because I'll continue to develop here."

He will. And if he remains as grounded as he is at the moment he will choose his destination wisely.

He smiles when you ask him what his mates think of the fuss and the eyes sparkle with boyish enthusiasm.

He said: "They are are always on the phone telling me well done and asking who is watching me this week.

"But they are always winding me up about my picture being in the paper. Nothing has changed really."

But everything will change sooner or later and even the Livingston fans who also chanted "Who are you?" at him know it.

He knows who he is, all right. James McCarthy. Remember the name.

CLICKY - Daily Record

[The_weatherman]

Republic of Ireland U17 1 – 0 Italy U17
Gareth Matthews 22

Ireland deservedly beat Italy on Tuesday courtesy of a first-half winning goal from defender Gareth Matthews at Home Farm's ground in Whitehall.

The crucial goal came when Matthews, of Norwich City, headed home a free kick that was curled in from the right by Liverpool winger Shane O'Connor after 22 minutes of play.

Ireland were worthy winners and had numerous chances to add to their lead. Shane O'Connor came close to making it 2-0 on the half-hour mark with a free-kick that was tipped over by Italy goalkeeper Viotti.

Two more chances fell to the Liverpool midfielder in the second half but on both occasions, his shots angled over the crossbar.

It was a good all-round performance by the Irish squad, as they stepped up their preparations for the upcoming UEFA Elite stage qualifiers, which take place in Germany from 21st – 26th March.

James McCarthy made his debut for Ireland and the Hamilton Academical midfielder contributed to the victory with his array of passing. His central- midfield partner, Conor McCormack, was also influential as he set up plenty of Irish attacks.

Italy did have the ball in the net in injury time but Albertazzi's header was ruled out for off-side.

The nations meet again on Thursday at Tolka Park (7pm) in the second fixture of the double-header.

Ireland: Kieron Thorp - Crystal Palace, Gareth Matthews – Norwich City, Mark Nolan - Glasgow Celtic, David Joyce - Birmingham City, Paul Honohan – Wilton, Kurtis Byrne - Norwich City, Conor McCormack - Manchester United, James McCarthy - Hamilton Academical, Shane O'Connor – Liverpool, Craig Duggan - Kilreen, Cork, Sean Scannell - Crystal Palace.

SUBS: Ian Daly - Manchester City for Scannell, Conor Kavanagh - Blackburn Rovers for Nolan & Eric Foley - Glasgow Celtic for Byrne (All half-time), Ian Byrne – Bohemians for O'Connor (64 mins), James Cronesberry - Middlesborough for Duggan (75 mins), Niall McArdle – Sunderland for Matthews (77 mins).

Italy: Viotti, Grea, Albertazzi, Tuia, Marrone, Marco, Fernando, Paloschi, Pasquale, Masi, Ciano.

REFEREE: Conor Fitzgerald.

Looks like our own player made more of an impression, does anyone know more about this O´Connor?

[ningnangnong]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/youth/connor/

[Assassin]

Don't want the little cu nt here.

Turncoat mother****er like Houghton and ****face McGeady.

He's about as Irish as a sack of spuds.

I'm surprized the Irish put up with the fakes like Cascarino.

No more surprising than Michael Owen playing for England or Vinny Jones playing for Wales...........

[Jayesh87]

No more surprising than Michael Owen playing for England or Vinny Jones playing for Wales...........

Michael Owen was born in England but raised in wales i believe...

[Assassin]

Michael Owen was born in England but raised in wales i believe...

He is a Welsh as Dan......