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Wigan Athletic's James McCarthy insists he has no regrets in shunning Liverpool
Teenage sensation has a promising future...
7 Mar 2010 15:56:00
By David Middleton
Wigan Athletic midfielder James McCarthy believes his made the right decision to turn down a move to Liverpool earlier in his career to develop at Hamilton.
The 19-year-old impressed in a behind-closed-doors game three years ago but choose to remain in Scotland despite having the opportunity to move to Anfield.
McCarthy stayed to learn his trade with Hamilton, playing more than 100 times, before sealing a £1.2 million move to the DW Stadium last summer.
“I was too young, just 16 at the time,” McCarthy told the People.
“If I had gone to Liverpool I would have been stuck in the reserves and not playing much. Playing first-team football was my main aim - that was my dream.
“Some of my mates wound me up and said I should go, but I was happy with my decision. I was also settled at home and didn't want to leave my mum and dad.
“I had just left school and it would have been hard to leave home. I thought the best thing for me was to get my head down and just keep on playing and that's worked out.
“I am delighted with the way things have gone. I played over 100 times for Hamilton and then I got this move. It couldn't be better.”
McCarthy has featured on 13 occasions for the Latics this season, scoring against Hull City in the FA Cup and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League in January.
He is now determined to help Wigan edge away from the relegation zone as his side prepare to take on Liverpool on Monday, and Roberto Martinez also believes he made the right choice in waiting to move south.
“I have always been a big admirer of James [McCarthy] and I followed his career for a long time,” he told the Sunday Mirror.
“When a youngster gets to play at such a young age it makes you sit up and take notice.
“That meant I was delighted when he made that rather strange decision not to go to a top, top club like Liverpool. I think that decision is being proved right now.”
The 19-year-old impressed in a behind-closed-doors game three years ago but choose to remain in Scotland despite having the opportunity to move to Anfield.
| Bet: | Returns: | St Mirren £23.75 | Draw £32.00 | Hamilton Academical £27.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | St Mirren £75.00 | Draw £13.33 | Hamilton Academical £58.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | St Mirren £27.50 | Draw £31.00 | Hamilton Academical £26.30 |
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McCarthy stayed to learn his trade with Hamilton, playing more than 100 times, before sealing a £1.2 million move to the DW Stadium last summer.
“I was too young, just 16 at the time,” McCarthy told the People.
“If I had gone to Liverpool I would have been stuck in the reserves and not playing much. Playing first-team football was my main aim - that was my dream.
“Some of my mates wound me up and said I should go, but I was happy with my decision. I was also settled at home and didn't want to leave my mum and dad.
“I had just left school and it would have been hard to leave home. I thought the best thing for me was to get my head down and just keep on playing and that's worked out.
“I am delighted with the way things have gone. I played over 100 times for Hamilton and then I got this move. It couldn't be better.”
McCarthy has featured on 13 occasions for the Latics this season, scoring against Hull City in the FA Cup and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League in January.
He is now determined to help Wigan edge away from the relegation zone as his side prepare to take on Liverpool on Monday, and Roberto Martinez also believes he made the right choice in waiting to move south.
“I have always been a big admirer of James [McCarthy] and I followed his career for a long time,” he told the Sunday Mirror.
“When a youngster gets to play at such a young age it makes you sit up and take notice.
“That meant I was delighted when he made that rather strange decision not to go to a top, top club like Liverpool. I think that decision is being proved right now.”
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