James McCarthy insists he's ready to make his Celtic debut this Sunday after ‘years’ of transfer speculation finally came to an end.
The Republic of Ireland international penned a four-year deal at Celtic Park earlier this week.
The 30-year-old was a free agent after his Crystal Palace contract expired in the summer and Ange Postecoglou jumped at the chance to add some experience and international pedigree to his midfield.
McCarthy has long been linked with a move to his boyhood club, ever since bursting onto the scene as a 16-year-old at Hamilton.
He’s had to wait over 15 years though, taking the scenic route via Wigan Athletic, Everton and Crystal Palace.
But now that he’s finally made it, he's desperate to make up for lost time and get playing in the Hoops as quickly as possible.
“I’m delighted to be here,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming but it’s a dream come true for me, my family and I can’t wait to get started.
“It’s been going on for years to be honest. There’s always been this and that and links here and there, but for the past two or three weeks it was go, go, go.
“Now I need to make sure I get working hard and get ready for whenever the manager calls upon me.
“I’ve been training back at Lennoxtown with a couple of the lads but it’s down to the manager now. I’ll meet the rest of the team tomorrow after they’ve been away in the Czech Republic.”
Celtic host Dundee in the Scottish Premiership this week after returning from Jablonec with a 4-2 first leg lead.
The pressure won’t let up though after they were beaten 2-1 by Hearts on the opening day last weekend.
With Rangers winning their lunch-time kick-off against Livingston and expected to do likewise at Dundee United tomorrow, then it’s likely Postecoglou’s men could be six points behind their rivals by the time they kick-off against the Dens Park club.
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