Teen ace McCarthy pledges future to Republic
âI donât have any regrets about the decision and will not change my mind. Why would I? Iâve been to Ireland many times on holiday and I love the placeâ
By Aidan Fitzmaurice
Monday June 15 2009
HAMILTON starlet James McCarthy has given Irish football a major boost by committing his international future to the Republic of Ireland.
The teenager has been on the end of severe abuse in his native Scotland due to his decision to declare for Ireland ahead of the Scots, as McCarthy has won caps at youth and U21 levels. But there were fears in some quarters that the Scottish FA, who rate McCarthy as one of the best young talents in the SPL, would use last weekâs rule change on player eligibility by FIFA to persuade McCarthy to declare for Scotland.
But McCarthy, who qualifies through his Donegal-born grandfather, insists that he has made up his mind and is happy to stay with the Republic.
âItâs quite a straightforward situation. Scotland didnât think I was good enough to play for them at youth level and the Republic of Ireland thought I was good enough,â he said.
"Ireland selected me and Scotland didnât. I was happy to play for Ireland then and Iâm still happy to do so.
"However, had Scotland selected me first then I would have played for them. But thatâs not the way it turned out.
"My mumâs dad (Paddy Coyle) was born in Donegal and thatâs how I qualify for the Ireland team. I donât have any regrets about the decision and will not change my mind. Why would I? Iâve been to Ireland many times on holiday and love the place.
âWhen Iâm with the Irish squad they make me feel welcome, although my Glaswegian accent gets a bit of a pounding from a few of the boys. Don Givens is the U21 manager and has been great. Ireland have a great set-up and Iâm proud to be involved,â added McCarthy, who admits he would love to follow in the footsteps of Mick McCarthyâs team of 2002 and play at the World Cup finals.
Realistic
âMy grandad always watched Ireland on telly, and I was by his side during that tournament. Iâd love to be at the World Cup, but I have to be realistic, my main aim is to stay in the Accies team,â he stated.
McCarthyâs assertion that he is sticking with Ireland is a massive boost for the FAI, as Scotland have been putting pressure on the playerâs family and club to get him to commit to Scotland. The Scottish FA are still aggrieved to have âlostâ the services of another Scot, Aiden McGeady.
McCarthy played his first youth international for the Republic in a win for the U17s over Italy in January 2007, he then made his competitive debut in a European U17 Championship win over Germany two months later, and he made his debut for the Irish U21s in a Euro qualifier against Portugal last September.
He has not featured in the Ireland senior squad so far, despite hints that he would be included in the panel for last yearâs friendly against Poland, but there will now be a clamour for Giovanni Trapattoni to hand the player his senior debut in the next international, the friendly against Australia in Limerick next August.
The player is loudly booed in many SPL grounds in Scotland as Scottish fans are unhappy with his defection to Ireland, but the player says he can deal with the pressure and uses it to his advantage.
âI played in every league game. I started 34 and came on as a sub in the other four. It was a great experience, and brilliant that we stayed in the SPL. I loved it all â the whole experience of playing against the Old Firm and going to Ibrox, Parkhead, Tynecastle and Pittodrie,â he says.
"At times, I came in for stick from opposing fans but I tried my best not to let it bother me. I donât always hear the shouts because Iâm focused on my game.
"Once or twice it went over the top, particularly when you consider the reasons for having a go at me. But I tried to turn a negative situation into a positive one. All over the world players get booed for different reasons. They rise above it and donât go into a shell.
âI used the songs and boos as a way of inspiring me. There was no way I was going to let it get to my game. I think I came out of it all pretty well.â
Meanwhile, the player says heâs flattered by the transfer speculation that has linked him with moves to Celtic as well as Premier League side Portsmouth.
Flattering
âItâs great to attract attention and very flattering. But my feet are on the ground. My mum (Marie) and dad (Willie) wouldnât have it any other way,â he said.
"The gaffer wouldnât let me get carried away either. He has been great for me and helped my development.
"If I do move I will have a lot to thank him for. But weâll see what happens.
"Celtic had a bid rejected and Iâve no idea if they will come back in for me.
"I suppose their priority at the moment is appointing a new manager.
"If a deal is agreed between the clubs in the future I will definitely look at it.
âCeltic are a massive club. They have great supporters and some brilliant players. However, it may be I will need to go down south. I donât know. Iâm really happy at Hamilton and in no rush to go anywhere,â he added.
