Football Insider and talkSPORT pundit, Gabby Agbonlahor, has been reacting to news on Celtic midfielder James McCarthy.

The Lowdown: Devlin’s claim

Devlin, Celtic’s correspondent for The Athletic, shared news from a dressing room source regarding summer signing Giorgos Giakoumakis.

Prior to the Hoops’ 1-0 defeat to Livingston, Devlin claimed that Giakoumakis is ‘quite far off it in training’.

Devlin then shared another dressing room source claim less than 24 hours later, revealing McCarthy has struggled in training with the pace and intensity of Ange Postecoglou’s sessions.

The Celtic boss nor the club’s scouts had meaningful input into signing McCarthy, who failed to shine on his first start in green and white.

The Latest: Agbonlahor reacts

Agbonlahor was talking to Football Insider regarding Devlin’s claim on McCarthy.

He didn’t hold back on the midfielder, labelling the 30-year-old as ‘average’.

“He’s an average player, to be honest. I played against him a few times while he was at Wigan and he’s an average player. He does some things well but Celtic for me have got better midfielders.

“Maybe he’s one that comes out the team and is then in and out of the side.

“It’s worrying times for Celtic.”

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The Verdict: Next few months crucial

There has been speculation that the Irishman has suffered from Covid, so that could explain his struggles at Lennoxtown, particularly in terms of cardiovascular fitness.

Hopefully, we will see the midfielder improving prior to the New Year as he gets back to full health and match sharpness.

However, with Postecoglou not contributing to McCarthy’s transfer, if he continues to struggle, it might mean he falls down the Parkhead pecking order relatively quickly if things don't improve.

In other news: Celtic now working on 'top' transfer without McKay; 48 y/o says he 'would shine' in Glasgow.