Ignore Koeman’s McCarthy Comments. He Will Leave Everton And We’re Favourites.

I see the papers are taking Ronald Koeman’s James McCarthy comments at face value.

They’re saying that McCarthy “can’t join Celtic” because Koeman said so.

Actually what Koeman said was that McCarthy would be staying at Everton … not quite the same thing. And if you conclude that Koeman isn’t being strictly honest then you have to conclude that Celtic Park is still a potential destination for the player.

To be perfectly blunt, Ronald Koeman isn’t telling the truth. McCarthy’s already been told he has no future at the club. Everton are looking for at least one more midfielder even as I write this. That would limit the player’s options for first team football more than at the current time.

The manager wanted to try him at right back; that’s not going to happen.

There’s a chance that Everton won’t get the players they want in, which is why Koeman is signing this old song about no-one being allowed to leave, but the word on Merseyside is pretty clear; the player is going to go, whether that’s a permanent deal or a loan with an option to buy, and that’s the reason I am still very optimistic about him signing for Celtic.

Of course, there’s another reason.

I’ve got it on very good authority that McCarthy’s visit to Scotland was more than just a hello and a goodbye, and that he’s still here at the present time. Furthermore, it’s an open secret within his social circle that he’s here negotiating a move.

Yesterday morning, an article online had Leicester as overwhelming favourites to sign him after word from England that they’d made a bid. Everton did not turn that bid down. At the time, you could have got 8/1 on McCarthy signing for Celtic. A few hours later, after a piece of Grade A intelligence that suggested it might be free money I went online to check, and what do you know? Leicester’s odds were lengthened and Celtic were now 6/5.

That means nothing, of course, but it’s suggestive. Celtic’s interest and Everton’s willingness to do business is clearly not simple rumour and speculation. People close to this are talking and there’s money going on the deal. 8/1 was a gift, even with all the talk about Leicester and other English clubs sniffing around him; the player wants to come home. We’re his number one pick, his clear preferred destination, and my information is that he won’t leave Everton for any other move. He’s determined to see this deal being done.