Post by earl on Oct 8, 2008 16:27:19 GMT
McCarthy pledges allegiance to Irish cause despite advances from Scotland
JAMES McCARTHY is adamant he will stick by his decision to play for Ireland and spurn the continued advances of Scotland -- with both countries now prepared to offer the talented teenager a senior cap.
The tug of war over his services escalated yesterday with Giovanni Trapattoni confirming he is considering giving the 17-year-old a full cap in next month's friendly with Poland.
Yet it's understood that Trap's opposite number in Scotland, George Burley, is prepared to do the same by offering the Hamilton starlet a glamour date with Argentina.
McCarthy (right) was born and raised in Glasgow, but has represented the country of his grandfather at U-17, U-18, U-19 and most recently U-21 level in last month's clash with Portugal.
New Scotland manager Burley has prioritised changing the midfielder's mind, with his assistant Terry Butcher intimating over the weekend there had been positive noises in that regard. Fears increased when McCarthy pulled out of Don Givens' U-21 squad for next week's trip to Lithuania with a slight thigh strain.
However, the Irish Independent understands that the player -- who is trying to keep a low profile amid fierce media attention in Scotland -- has told those closest to him that he will remain "100pc" in the Irish fold, and is missing the trip to Vilnius with a genuine injury picked up against Celtic last weekend.
Yesterday afternoon, unprompted, Trapattoni waded into the debate by saying that he would include the player for next month's friendly with Poland if necessary.
Once a player earns a senior cap, he is unable to switch. Otherwise, even if he remained prominent at underage level, McCarthy would be able to change his mind until his 21st birthday.
The Irish manager says that he plans to speak to the player himself in the coming weeks and is confident that he will remain committed to the green jersey.
"I think he will play for Ireland, and we will look in future to choose him," he said. "I know that he thinks about it, and that he has two possibilities -- Scotland and Ireland -- but I think he will choose Ireland.
"I think we will have a possibility to look at him," he added, with clear reference to the Poland game. "I think we will choose him, and I am always positive."
McCarthy starred for Hamilton in their promotion charge last year and has adapted well to life in the Scottish Premier League.
He has spurned numerous advances to leave Glasgow already, with the Premiership 'big four' and giants from further afield like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich keeping tabs on his progress.
McCarthy qualifies for Ireland through his grandfather Paddy Coyle, who hailed from Donegal.
JAMES McCARTHY is adamant he will stick by his decision to play for Ireland and spurn the continued advances of Scotland -- with both countries now prepared to offer the talented teenager a senior cap.
The tug of war over his services escalated yesterday with Giovanni Trapattoni confirming he is considering giving the 17-year-old a full cap in next month's friendly with Poland.
Yet it's understood that Trap's opposite number in Scotland, George Burley, is prepared to do the same by offering the Hamilton starlet a glamour date with Argentina.
McCarthy (right) was born and raised in Glasgow, but has represented the country of his grandfather at U-17, U-18, U-19 and most recently U-21 level in last month's clash with Portugal.
New Scotland manager Burley has prioritised changing the midfielder's mind, with his assistant Terry Butcher intimating over the weekend there had been positive noises in that regard. Fears increased when McCarthy pulled out of Don Givens' U-21 squad for next week's trip to Lithuania with a slight thigh strain.
However, the Irish Independent understands that the player -- who is trying to keep a low profile amid fierce media attention in Scotland -- has told those closest to him that he will remain "100pc" in the Irish fold, and is missing the trip to Vilnius with a genuine injury picked up against Celtic last weekend.
Yesterday afternoon, unprompted, Trapattoni waded into the debate by saying that he would include the player for next month's friendly with Poland if necessary.
Once a player earns a senior cap, he is unable to switch. Otherwise, even if he remained prominent at underage level, McCarthy would be able to change his mind until his 21st birthday.
The Irish manager says that he plans to speak to the player himself in the coming weeks and is confident that he will remain committed to the green jersey.
"I think he will play for Ireland, and we will look in future to choose him," he said. "I know that he thinks about it, and that he has two possibilities -- Scotland and Ireland -- but I think he will choose Ireland.
"I think we will have a possibility to look at him," he added, with clear reference to the Poland game. "I think we will choose him, and I am always positive."
McCarthy starred for Hamilton in their promotion charge last year and has adapted well to life in the Scottish Premier League.
He has spurned numerous advances to leave Glasgow already, with the Premiership 'big four' and giants from further afield like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich keeping tabs on his progress.
McCarthy qualifies for Ireland through his grandfather Paddy Coyle, who hailed from Donegal.
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