McCarthy warned: Don't chase Hoops

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, May 17, 2009 | by CIARAN O RAGHALLAIGH

JAMES McCARTHY has been warned his dream move to Celtic could become a nightmare.

The SPL champions have already had one bid turned down for the 18- year-old Hamilton Accies midfielder - a lifelong Hoops fan. But Republic of Ireland Under- 19s boss Sean McCaffrey has pleaded with his wonderkid to think long and hard about the potential pitfalls of joining the Celts.

McCaffrey said: "He needs to go to a club where his ability will work. All Celtic teams try to play good football so that would suit him - but I don't know if they are the best club for him.

"He needs to be careful, and he needs to to ask Gordon Strachan what he expects of him - whether he will be a first-team signing or is being looked at as a player for the long term.

"Playing first-team football is the priority for him now - he doesn't need to go to a club that will look at him as a three- season project." But McCaffrey added: "If he goes for big money, the manager will be held accountable for that so he'll be sure to have him in his plans."