Celtic are easily at their lowest ebb in the last ten years.

This season was supposed to be all about silverware, a tenth successive league crown and dominating Rangers once again.

However, as it turns out, they can’t even dominate the likes of Ross County.

Neil Lennon’s side were knocked out of the Champions League by Hungarian opposition and then shipped eight goals in two games against Sparta Prague as the Hoops exited the Europa League.

11 points behind the Gers in the league and now out of the Scottish Cup too, it has been a disastrous campaign.

Fans have started protesting outside Parkhead and things are getting rather messy in Glasgow from a green and white perspective.

It feels like only a matter of time before Lennon gets the boot and if they want to make full use of the January window for a new manager, they will have to get someone in soon.

It’s now only four weeks before the market opens and Celtic are already being linked with a new midfielder.

That happens to be boyhood Hoops fan James McCarthy. The Crystal Palace enforcer is out of contract at the end of the season and thus, can begin discussing terms with the Bhoys as soon as January.

It’s not a signing that catches the eye immediately, but Nick Hammond could help fix a glaring issue in the Celtic squad by bringing the 42-cap Irishman to Scotland.

First and foremost, he is in the Scott Brown mould, someone who evidently has not been at the races this season.

He might be Celtic’s captain but his performances are not indicative of that. Brown has been woeful and against Sparta last week, he was at fault for the opening goal and made the fewest touches of any player to start the game for Lennon.

Known by many in the game as a bruiser, someone who gets stuck in, that’s the exact qualities that McCarthy could replicate if he made the move across the border.

Once dubbed a “class player” by Roy Hodgson, it’s clear to see why that assessment has been delivered.

Although he is effective in defensive situations, he is also a safe and measured passer with the ability to dictate the play from the middle of the park.

In 2020/21 so far, McCarthy has managed 2.2 tackles per game. For immediate context, Brown only manages 1.5 a match. Vitally, though, the Palace titan commits fewer fouls (0.5) over the course of a game than the Celtic skipper (1.5).

Not only is McCarthy strong in the tackle but he does so by winning the ball and then moving it on. The same cannot be said for Brown, someone who is becoming a greater liability as the weeks go by.

At the age of 35, he is no spring chicken and needs replacing. This must be one of the first priorities for any new manager coming in.

It would be an ideal signing, especially on a free transfer.

In other news, Celtic must UNLEASH this player instead of Scott Brown...