It seem the SFA may have stuffed up a chance to hold on to one of Scotland’s finest future stars. With all the good work being done by Walter Smith to raise our nation’s game, this is quite a depressing state of affairs
According to The Herald, 16-year-old attacking midfielder James McCarthey has been picked out for his prime blossoming talent. He is in high demand. Chelsea, Manchester United, Blackburn, Bolton, Sunderland, Plymouth and Reading have all inquired about him, as have Deportivo La Coruna and Barcelona. So, it would surely make sense to offer this young man an international place. As well as inspiring him to keep up his efforts, it would secure his loyalty and obligation to play in the national squad in future years. However this never happened.
The Republic of Ireland has won McCarthy’s talents. The Irish offered McCarthy a place in their under-17 squad who play Italy in Dublin on Jan 19. Having family links with the Republic, and having no alternative offer from Scotland the young star had no choice but take the offer presented to him. Scotland has surely lost out.
I just hope Scotland don’t suffer down the line from what seems a gross oversight 
