Celtic almost certainly rounded off their midfield options for the foreseeable on Tuesday with the signing of Australia internationalist Aaron Mooy. The former St Mirren midfielder put pen to paper on a two-year deal to reunite with his former national team manager Ange Postecoglou. The move was welcomed by current Socceroos boss Graham Arnold, with Mooy now likely to see playing time ahead of the Qatar World Cup later this year. However, one player who could find more game time difficult because of the Aussie’s arrival is James McCarthy.
The former Hamilton midfielder ended years of speculation linking him with Celtic and finally moved back to Scotland from Crystal Palace last summer, but found opportunities limited, even with Celtic’s lack of midfield depth in the first half of the season. The former Ireland international made only six starts and 16 substitute appearances, rarely if ever looking capable of deputising for Callum McGregor when called upon.
